Reports show the Andrews Government’s Target One Million program just isn’t working, according to Nationals Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull.
Instead of moving towards one million people fishing by 2020, Mr Bull, who is also Shadow Minister for Fishing and Boating, says the number of recreational fishers has decreased by 35,520 since Target One Million launched in 2015.
Figures from the Victorian
Fisheries Authority show a 12 per cent drop in recreational fishing licence (RFL) sales, from 294,051 in 2015-16 to 258,531 in 2017-18.
Mr Bull says the decline follows the Andrews Government’s up to 66 per cent hike in licence fees at July 1, 2016.
“Labor’s wading around for excuses when it should be providing recreational fishers with an explanation on why it’s failing to deliver, despite spending $46 million,” Mr Bull said.
“For Jaala Pulford (Minister for Fishing and Boating) to question the accuracy of her own department’s figures shows just how desperate Labor is to hide the truth – Labor’s fishing licence price hikes have caused Target One Million to flounder.
“Recreational fishing provides so much both socially and economically for communities in Regional Victoria, but under Labor less, not more, Victorians are taking part.”
