COALITION POLICY

[Spiney]

Not sure if you can trust any party over policy. In NSW at the present we have the Greens and the Nationals voting together to oppose mining in the Gloucester Valley. The Shooters who always vote with labour has opposed the sale of Lotteries (what that has to do with Shooters I don't know) so they can shoot in national parks. Policy goes out the door when deals are involved.

[kingpro]

Spiney,
             Yep, i agree, it isnt about policy - its about votes, so what deals have been bandied about. There have been many comments pertaining to encouraging voters (fishers) to oust this labour govt at the next state election. Many of the punters (aussie slang for average person in the street) would like to know what would or may happen in respect to Marine Parks if that does in fact occur. I.E. what will liberals do in respect to Marine Parks.
'kinpro

[CEO]

 Here is another classic example of how the greenies work. They tell people WHAT to think. ECOfishers encourages people, HOW to think - ie critically analyse what is said!

[Open Oyster]

  Nobody tells me how to vote. However if I am not satisfied with what one party is doing I at least check the options that are available and that may influence my voting pattern.  ECOfishers have never instructed me to vote for any party although they have certainly given me options on who not to vote  to improve my requirements as a recreational fisher.
  Keep up the good work ECOfishers at least you oppose those Dracula sanctuary zones created to buy green votes.

[kingpro]

Open Oyster,
                   Sure we are all capable of making up our own minds.
                   I am simply trying to find out what the coalition or anyone elses policy on marine parks is. I am not interested in the greens policy as they obviously support marine parks.
                    Are we simply stuck with MPA's in their current form with no hope for alternatives.
                    I dont understand  CEO's comment
                    "Here is another classic example of how the greenies work. They tell people WHAT to think. ECOfishers encourages people, HOW to think - ie critically analyse what is said!"
                    I certainly dont support green anti fishing policies. But any changes to the draconian rules of Marine Parks have to come from somewhere. So can we expect something from ecofjshers or anyone?
                     Perhaps a draft policy or a wish list of changes to zoning rules as a start. At least we may get an idea of where the various persuasions are coming from.
Kinpro

[CEO]

Is this the same Hooters Party that supported Labor with the initial marine parks legislation, that locked us all out, in 1997?
Is this the same Hooters Party which extensively  advertised thru certain tackle shops before the last state election, saying they supported recreational fishers?

[Spiney]

The answer to these two questions is yes and yes. The vote against the sale of Lotteries was I understand the first time Shooters have voted against Labour. The only way Fishers are going to get rid of or any substantial changes to Marine Parks is via representation with a Fishing Party and that will be by trading votes to the Government of the day. Exactly the same scenario, the Shooters want to shoot in Terrestrial National Parks. We want to fish.

I also do not understand the following quote " Here is another classic example of how the greenies work. They tell people WHAT to think. ECOfishers encourages people, HOW to think - ie critically analyse what is said!

[clive]

So, I gather from Spiney that no other party (Coalition, Shooters etc) will reduce the effects of Sanctuary zoning on fishers. We must go it alone and the only way to do that is as a unified group. A peak fishing group is required that can galvanise most fishing votes. Possible? Let's hope so otherwise, if the status quo remains, there is no hope of repealling the worst effects of Marine Parks.

Clive

[kingpro]

Hi Guys,
             I cant understand why you are making references to the shooters party. I don't know or care anything about them or any other political party for that matter. You seem to be making some misguided assumptions about my motivation.
I am simply asking for alternatives to current marine park rules. Something I thought  was pretty close to the core subject of this website.
Who is prepared to offer realistic alternatives to marine park zoning rules that we as fishos would be happy with, obviously Marine parks are not going to be abolished but changes to rules are a distinct possibility aren't they?.
The obvious place to start (I would assume) is the coalition as they are after all the opposition.
Kinpro

[clive]

"I am simply asking for alternatives to current marine park"

Kingpro is right. We should come up with a coherent policy alternative to Sanctuary zoning (a narrow specific focus), get the Coalition (only realistic option) to sign up to it as a policy promise, then sell it to the fishing voters.

Clive

[kingpro]

Hi All,
          Thanks Clive, my thoughts exactly and a great place for the new unified ecofishers to start - determination of an alternative policy / zoning rules for marine parks which the coalition or whoever may adopt and implement at the first opportunity ie when voted into power. Makes sense to me. Ecofishers as the voice of recreational fishers would seem to be an appropriate vehicle to initiate such a proposal. CEO???
'kinpro