The Hon. Jackie Jarvis MLC
Minister for Agriculture and Food; Fisheries; Forestry; Small Business; Mid West
7th Floor, Dumas House
2 Havelock Street
West Perth WA 6005
Dear Minister Jarvis,
Re: Recreational Fishing Voucher – Tackle Shop Rebate Program
I write on behalf of the Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA) Board regarding the $3.3 million Recreational Fishing Voucher – Tackle Shop Rebate Program, under which the $50 rebate initiative has, we understand, been restricted to a limited group of participating independent retailers.
AFTA seeks clarification as to the basis on which retailer eligibility has been determined, and specifically why major recreational fishing retailers such as BCF and Anaconda have not been included in the program. Collectively, these businesses operate 33 stores across Western Australia and employ more than 900 Western Australians. They represent a significant component of the State’s recreational fishing retail network, contributing materially to regional employment, economic activity, and participation in fishing.
It is difficult to reconcile their exclusion when a number of participating retailers offer comparable product ranges and operate at a similar commercial scale and are in direct competition. On its face, the current structure of the program appears inconsistent and lacking in transparency. Importantly, the impacts of recent fisheries management changes are being felt across the entire recreational fishing retail sector—not solely by the selected 45 participating outlets. As such, the current approach risks creating an uneven playing field within the industry.
Given that this initiative is funded by Western Australian taxpayers—including the taxes contributed by these businesses and their employees—it is critical that access to the program is administered in a manner that is equitable, transparent, and non-discriminatory.
Accordingly, AFTA respectfully requests that your office:
- Outline the criteria used to determine retailer participation; and
- Provide a clear explanation as to why certain retailers have been excluded from the program.
In light of these concerns, we urge you to review the Tackle Shop Rebate Program as a matter of priority and to extend participation to BCF and Anaconda stores in Western Australia that wish to be involved.
AFTA and industry representatives would welcome the opportunity to meet with you or your office to discuss this matter further and to work collaboratively towards a fair and inclusive outcome for the entire recreational fishing retail sector in Western Australia.
Yours sincerely,
Bob