Ryan by-election would spell disaster for the Queensland fishing industry if a Labor Government was elected federally. Labor can t be trusted to work closely with the fishing industry because they would sell out fishermen s interests for the sake of their radical Green friends. In contrast, the Federal Government is working cooperatively and realistically with the fishing industry on a range of issues, including access and property rights, market development and stock sustainability.
Labor has a record of confrontation and antagonism in dealing with the fishing industry.
Mr Truss scoffed at suggestions by Queensland Primary Industry Minister Henry Palaszczuk that fisheries has been removed from his portfolio. I remain the senior Minister responsible for the whole agriculture, fisheries and forestry portfolio. I have a tremendous interest in and respect for Australia s dynamic fishing industry and will continue to be involved with industry affairs and represent the industry in Cabinet. I initiated these changes two months ago so that my junior minister, the Minister for Forestry and Conservation, the Hon Wilson Tuckey MP, now has my authority to spend more time travelling to meet with the fishing industry on my behalf. In turn I will taking greater responsibility for natural resource management and food industry issues.