AFTA’s Letter to ALP

With an upcoming Federal election, AFTA has written both openly and directly to many politicians requesting a response regarding their policies on recreational fishing.

See below the letter to Terri Butler MP, Shadow Minister for Environment and Water.

When a response is received it will be posted below.

Dear Shadow Minister,

Re: Recreational Fishing Policy – Federal Election

The Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA) is the peak body representing the Recreational Fishing tackle industry at the wholesale, import, manufacturing, media and retail levels. Our members are Australia wide, and hence through the process of conducting their business, our contact extends to all recreational fishers, numbering greater than 5 million.

We are requesting Labor’s policy position on Commonwealth Marine Parks & Management Plans. At the last election your predecessor, The Hon Tony Burke stated at the ALP National Conference that Labor would reintroduce the original Commonwealth Marine Parks & Management Plans in full.

AFTA would also appreciate Labor’s plan for the control & eradication of non-native invasive species, e.g. Carp & Tilapia in our waterways ahead of the forthcoming federal election.

Upon receipt of your policies, AFTA will publish the policy as received on our website and distribute the same to our members directly.
AFTA is non-partisan; our members will individually decide which political party has the best interests of recreational fishers, and therefore their business at heart. This is an opportunity to present your policy directly to those who will benefit from your decisions.

The past two years have been incredibly challenging for the recreational fishing sector, with restrictions having both economic and social impacts. Support for the recreational fishing sector at this time is paramount to the sustainability and success of recreational fishing across Australia, and in turn those 5 million-plus participants.

Prior to the commencement of the election pre-poll, AFTA will prepare, present and distribute a Policy Scorecard based on the policy information you and all other political parties/independents provide to AFTA on recreational fishing. Should you wish not to advise of your policy, this will be noted as a failure to respond, and it will be up to our members how they interpret.

AFTA is willing and welcomes any request to engage with you on recreational fishing policy matters. We look forward to your response to help our members make an informed decision on their futures.

Should you wish to contact me directly, please email me.

Yours sincerely,
Michael Starkey
President – Australian Fishing Trade Association