Member for O’Connor Rick Wilson.
Rick Wilson MHR launched a new online petition opposing the proposed South Coast Marine Park in the Federal Parliament last week, which WA Environment minister Reece Whitby dismissed as a “cheap political stunt”.
“I rise to support the recreational and commercial fishers of my electorate, whose lifestyles and livelihoods are being threatened by state Labor’s plans to lock up fisheries along 1,200 kilometres of WA’s south coast,” Mr Wilson said.
“The benefits to the environment of bluntly locking up productive fisheries and throwing away the key are questionable enough.
“But where Labor’s fishery exclusion zones fall incredibly short is in the scant analysis of
the social and economic havoc the marine park would wreak.”
When we contacted Mr Whitby he was quick to respond.
“Rick Wilson’s extreme bluff and bluster contrasts with the constructive consultation that is helping to achieve good sustainable outcomes for fishers and the broader community,” he said.
“Whether it be through his support for Peter Dutton or a nuclear power plant in Collie, Mr Wilson has consistently demonstrated he will not always do what’s right by Western Australians.”
Mr Whitby said this “cheap political stunt” was a perfect example of that.
“Rather than advocating for WA’s south coast in Canberra, Mr Wilson has decided to spend taxpayer resources opposing a proposal that will improve economic, social and conservation outcomes in communities he represents,” Mr Whitby said.
“Moreover, his survey risked confusing and distracting those who had not yet made a submission as part of this process.
“Anyone who wanted to have their say about this marine park could have done so via the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions’ website.”
Mr Whitby said a project of this scale required a thorough and consultative process, which is what the State Government was conducting.
“All feedback made during the public comment period is being considered as part of the planning process,” he said.
Mr Wilson made the speech in parliament and launched the petition after receiving the results of his own survey of constituents and after meeting former WA Fishing Industry Council chief executive Darryl Hockey.
“Mr Hockey confirmed what I’d been hearing across my electorate, that the WA government has failed to undertake a triple-bottom-line analysis of its planned marine park,” Mr Wilson said.
“The benefits to the environment of bluntly locking up productive fisheries and throwing away the key are questionable enough.
“But where Labor’s fishery exclusion zones fall incredibly short is in the scant analysis of the social and economic havoc the marine park would wreak.”
Mr Wilson said WA Environment minister Reece Whitby had “snatched control” of the marine park process, leaving WA’s primary industries department, and hence south coast fishers, “out in the cold”.
“In May, I wrote to tell Mr Whitby that nine out of 10 respondents to a survey I ran opposed his marine park,” he said.
“Almost 6,000 people took the time to respond to my survey. Mr Whitby did not take the time to respond to my letter until today.”
Unusually for a Federal member of Parliament, Mr Wilson said he would be presenting the petition to the WA Legislative Council.
It can be viewed at rickwilson.com.au/no_marinepark .
It follows a similar petition with 5,860 signatures Colin de Grussa MLC tabled in June on behalf of Munglinup farmer and angler Max Sculz.
