Burke Urged to Show Compassion to Flood Ravaged Fishos

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Take note,in the article below, that the normal time allowed for submissions is usually a standard 90 days, Burke has allowed 30 days for this one,when it was announced through the holiday period and the time period closes at midnight tomorrow night Wednesday Feb. 13th

Taken from Fishing World email newsletter 11-2-13

07 Feb 2013

By Fisho staff writers

MARINE park submissions sent in late by anglers affected by recent natural disasters would be "considered", federal Environment Minister Tony Burke has promised.

But angling groups and the Opposition are calling on Mr Burke to show "compassion" and extend the consultation period – which closes next week – to allow anglers battling to clean up after record floods and fires time to properly consider final plans for the Government's proposed marine parks.

"Most people are more interested in cleaning up after the floods and storms than they are in worrying about government submissions," Judy Lynne, the executive officer of Sunfish Queensland, said.

"We'd like Minister Burke to extend the closing date for comment to the standard 90 days in consideration of the hardship and suffering of those residents affected by the recent disasters.

"This would allow all Queensland anglers the opportunity to provide collaborative comment, not just token consultation."

Last month the Government imposed the minimum 30-day consultation period for comments on draft management plans for the marine parks. This last round of consultation before the parks are implemented closes on February 14.

Paul Aubin, spokesman for the Cairns-based CAREFISH community group, said the federal Government was using "political tactics" to limit public involvement in the marine parks process by starting the process during the Christmas holiday break.

"To make matters worse, this has all occurred amongst a devastating period of natural disasters with floods in the north and fires in the south," Mr Aubin said.

"CAREFISH calls on Tony Burke to declare a reasonable extension to the consultation period to allow individuals and groups to fully discuss and respond to this most important plan."

A one-line statement from Minister Burke's office given to Fisho yesterday seems to indicate that the Government will not extend the consultation period.

"If submissions are late because of natural disasters, then we will make sure they are considered," the statement says.

Angling leaders have criticised Mr Burke's statement, saying he was "just paying lip service to our concerns".

"If Tony Burke was fair dinkum he'd give us all the opportunity to have our say," Allan Hansard, CEO of the Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation, said.

"Saying he'll 'consider' late submissions means nothing. The decisions will have already been made."

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The federal Coalition has echoed angler concerns by calling on the Environment Minister to show "compassion" for people disadvantaged by the floods.

Coalition Fisheries spokesman Senator Richard Colbeck said it was not fair for the Government to expect fishing communities to comment on management plans at the same time as dealing with the effects of catastrophic natural disasters.

"It is about time Tony Burke gave some consideration to those he is locking out and had some compassion for their current situation," Senator Colbeck said.

"An extension of the comment period to 90 days to give them a fair chance to comment and deal with the impact of these natural disasters is very reasonable."

Fishing World contacted Pew, the US-based environment group which has been instrumental in driving the Government's marine parks plans, to obtain its position on extending the consultation to allow flood-affected citizens adequate time to make submissions to the management plans. Pew did not return our calls or emails. END

When the F-EN hell will the Fishing World editor and his staff writers, fully understand the fact, that Pew and their fellow rabids, don`t want to be chummy with rec fishos (out side of the good old USA, that is) all they`ve ever wanted and will continue to try to do, is lock us fishos out of as much of our coastline as they can!

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Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation

The Voice of Australia’s Recreational Fishing Community

Media Release – 6 February 2013

Marine Parks: Floods and Storms deny Queenslanders having their say

The Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation (ARFF) is asking the Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke to extend the period for submissions on the Marine Park Management Plans to 90 days to allow flood and tornado affected Queenslanders to have their say.

Sunfish Queensland Chief Executive Judy Lynne has contacted ARFF concerned that many thousands of Sunfish Queensland members are affected by the floods and will not be able to get their comments in or are so preoccupied in getting their lives back in order that putting comments into the Government on the Marine Park management plans at this time is the last thing on their mind.

ARFF Managing Director Allan Hansard said “We have already written to the Minister asking for an extension of the submission period for the Marine Park management plans to 90 days to all more comprehensive stakeholder consultation on the plans. The Queensland flood situation has exacerbated this and made the issue a critical one.

“Queensland has been inundated by floodwaters and ravaged by storms, playing havoc with Internet, phone networks and the lives of thousands of Queenslanders. This has meant that many Queenslanders are unable to provide their submissions to the Government on this important issue in time.

“It is important that Queenslanders are provided every opportunity to provide their comments to the Government as they are planning the biggest marine reserve system in the world on their doorstep. Queenslanders now require the understanding of Minister Burke and the Federal Government in allowing them time to get their lives back in order and consider the plans properly.

“I am also writing to the Queensland Government and other major stakeholders that have been involved in the process to support our call for the consultation period for the Marine Park management plans to be extended to 90 days.

“ARFF is willing to work with the Federal Government to ensure the consultation process for the Marine Park management plans is comprehensive and allows all key stakeholders, including our Queensland stakeholders to constructively input into the development of the plans. But this cannot be done in the short time left and will require the Government to extend the consultation period.

“This is not the time to play politics and cut the consultation period short. Minister Burke needs to do the right thing by the marine environment and the key stakeholders affected by his plan and extend the consultation period to 90 days immediately.â€

Media Contact: Alice Logan Edwards

Mob: 0419 464 270

Email: alice.loganedwards@afta.net.au

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Taken from Fishing World email newsletter 14-2-13

Marine Parks consultation ends at midnight tonight.

Burke extends it 2 weeks for those flood and other natural disaster affected.

14 Feb 2013

THE FORMAL consultation period on the draft management plans for the newly-proclaimed Commonwealth marine reserves closes at midnight tonight.

Mr Burke said there had been calls for the public comment closing date to be extended for people affected by the recent floods and natural disasters in eastern Australia.

"While the deadline for public comments to the Director of National Parks will remain midnight on 14 February, I will accept and consider comments made by those affected by natural disasters that are provided by 28 February.

"I will consider these comments in parallel with advice from the Director of National Parks on the issues raised during the statutory public comment period as part of finalising the management plans."

An online web form will be established for flood and other natural disaster affected members of the public to provide their comments.

People can access this online form after midnight tonight by going to www.environment.gov.au/marinereserves.

People who are unable to access the internet can post their comments to:

Comments from Flood Affected People

Commonwealth Marine Reserves

203 Channel Highway

KINGSTON TAS 7050