Qld: Fishermen welcome reef move

AAP General News (Australia)
12-19-1999
Qld: Fishermen welcome reef move

BRISBANE, Dec 19 AAP - Commercial fishermen in Queensland have welcomed today's announcement
by Premier Peter Beattie that the state wanted a bigger say in the management of the Great
Barrier Reef.

Queensland Commercial Fishermen's Organisation (QCFO) president Ted Loveday said fishermen
had wanted for years to see a greater involvement by the state government in the reef.

"We strongly welcome the premier's announcement that he will insist on the Great Barrier
Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) becoming an independent and intergovernmental body,
rather than simply being dominated by Canberra," Mr Loveday said.

"GBRMPA was always supposed to be a partnership between the state and federal governments
which would ensure effective management of the region and a stable policy environment
for industries that rely on the region."

Mr Beattie today said an independent review of GBRMPA, commissioned by the state government,
had found Queensland invested more money than the commonwealth in the reef, yet had less
say over its management.

The report, prepared by former New South Wales Department of Cabinet chief Gary Sturgess,
recommended a standing committee oversee government policies affecting the Great Barrier
Reef, headed by an officer from the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

The report will be released for public comment in the new year.

Mr Loveday said that at present all the important policy decisions on the reef were
being made by the federal government.

"Mr Beattie is absolutely right to say the Queensland government should have a far
greater input into the development of long-term strategies and policy coordination for
management of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park," Mr Loveday said.

AAP jfs/bdm

KEYWORD: REEF FISHERMEN

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