A vote for Labor is a vote for the Greens and a vote for the end of commercial and recreational fishing in Australia, Senator Ron Boswell warned today.
 

The Greens today announced a policy to ban fishing in 30% of Australia’s territorial waters.
 

Senator Boswell told fishermen at a meeting in Brisbane - held to to protest against Peter Garrett’s handling of marine park policy - that the stakes were suddenly much higher as a result of the announcement.
 

The recently announced preference swap between Labor and the Greens almost guarantees the Greens will hold the balance of power in the Senate from July next year, and therefore that their bid for 30% ‘no-take’ zoning would happen if Labor wins the August 21 election.
 

“Peter Garrett and Julia Gillard have used the current marine park planning process to fish for green support using fishermen for bait,” Senator Boswell said.
 

“They’ve got what they wanted - and now they will give the Greens what they want.
 

“With Bob Brown and his fellow pixies at the bottom of the garden almost certainly in control of the Senate they won’t have a choice, anyway.”
 

Senator Boswell said the only way commercial and recreational fishermen could avoid the madness of such vast closures was to support the Coalition at the election, in both the Lower and Upper House.
 

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott announced a marine parks policy last week that will restructure Labor’s disastrous approach and provide a much greater say in the process for commercial and recreational fishers.
 

“We listened to you and we have delivered a policy that will put an end to the joint Labor and Greens plans to destroy your livelihoods and your pastime,” Senator Boswell said.(To read or download the Coalition Marine Protected Areas policy go to www.liberal.org.au.)
 

ENDS