SNAPPER WORKING GROUP

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (15:12): Further supplementary: given that many charter boat operators have expressed concern that the individual impacts they are facing could be between $40,000 and $50,000 in the month of December—

The PRESIDENT: What's the question?

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS: —due to the decreased charter boat bag limits, what compensation packages have been considered by the government for these tourism operators, if any?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) (15:13): These operators make their business by taking fish from the sea; that is how they make their business. Their compensation—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: That's their business.

The Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins: You said they have 'a very important tourism value to the state'. You are on the Hansard as saying that!

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: That's what the basis of their business is. Tourism is a very important economic driver to this state, so are our commercial fishers and so are our rec fishers; they also make an important contribution. All of the interest groups at stake here that are affected by this make a very important—

The Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins: Yes, but you treat them like imbeciles.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Well, that's absolute nonsense! That is outrageous, Mr President. That is absolutely outrageous. This has been an extensive and intensive process that has gone on for over a year or more, that has involved—

The Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins: And when a bloke does his job properly, you sack him and don't tell him directly!

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Well, I don't accept the premise of what the honourable member is saying. I have said I would check that out, but I don't accept what he is saying at all. What I do know—

The Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins: Don't you? I think you'd better be careful.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Well, I have said I would check it; I have said I would check it out, but I don't accept your assertions at this point in time. But what I can absolutely guarantee you of is that this has been an extensive process. These are businesses that make their living out of taking fish from the sea. If the fish stock—this is 'duh head' stuff—they make their livelihood from becomes obsolete—if it is wiped out—these businesses will no longer have a snapper fishing business. So, their compensation is to make a contribution to the long-term sustainability and to invest in the future of their business by ensuring that the fishing undertaken is at sustainable levels.