Media Statement
Recfishwest accuses Premier of abandoning recreational fishing

21 April 2006

Recfishwest today accused Premier Alan Carpenter of abandoning recreational fishers and breaking an explicit promise of Premier Gallop and the Labor party.

"Premier Carpenter seems happy to use the previous Premier's commitments when it suits him on uranium mining but lacks the commitment to hold to a direct policy promise of his party." Executive Director of Recfishwest Frank Prokop claimed.

"The election promise of the Labor party is absolutely crystal clear" Mr Prokop said. "It says the Labor party will "Reaffirm its commitment not to support bans on fishing at Rottnest Island."

The Premier also made a categorical statement to support this position at the election launch at the Hyatt hotel that was reported in the West Australian.

"Mr Carpenter seems able to blithely accept the biased and unsubstantiated options from the Rottnest Island Authority and wannabe commentators like Hugh Edwards." Mr Prokop said.

The facts are that the plan does not address the critical issues at Rottnest Island and puts the blame solely on recreational fishing as it is the only activity affected.

Recreational fishers are disgusted with the misrepresentations of the facts on Rottnest Island and the blatant biases in Rottnest Island Authority literature and questionnaires. Recreational fishers tried for several years to work to achieve a balanced and responsible plan but all we have gotten is frontal attacks and manipulated and unfounded allegations.

Recreational fishers also want a future for Rottnest, but not one where we are being told that we are the only problem and where there is a no balanced approach. Recreational fishers have done more for the aquatic conservation of this state than any other group yet this is never recognised by the green fringe who think that locking up the world will solve all its problems.

"The Premier must make the Rottnest Island Authority work with recreational fishers and not vilify them as has been done. Then we can have a plan of which we can all be proud."

ENDS

Media Contact
Frank Prokop Executive Director - Recfishwest 9246 3366 or 0419 949 118

Recfishwest is sponsored by Healthway. Recfishwest encourages responsible, SunSmart behaviour at all times.



This page last updated on 27 June 2006.