The politics
CURRENT POLITICAL PARTY POSITIONS ON MARINE PARKS
Tasmanians for Marine Parks would like to see a non- partisan approach to this issue.
Despite the official statements made so far, only the Australian Greens could be considered overtly supportive of MPAs at this time, although it may well change after the next State election, which is likely to rely more on coalitions of parties.
This seems somewhat surprising since national surveys routinely return 80% support for MPAs, cutting across party lines.
It seems likely that the current strategy of the two main political parties is to remain silent on the issue to avoid the debate attracting media attention, in the hope that the debate will go away.
Stated Party Policies
Tasmanian Liberal Party
The recent Federal election result showed that many conservatives are now ardent supporters of environmental causes.
Despite some vague statements, the attitude that has come through from discussions with the Government’s is an actually oppositional stance best summarised by a statement to the Legislative Council on 8/6/2022 by Jo Palmer (new Liberal Fisheries Minister speak on the LMRA Review),
‘The government has a policy of No More Lockups that would see fishers excluded from areas.’ The then Parks Minister Petrusma also used the term ‘lockout’ in a face to face meeting with this group.
The Tasmanian Liberal Party has stated that they will continue the Hodgman Liberal Government’s moratorium on new marine parks.
When the State Government was asked by journalists for comment they tend to make distracting statements that contain little that is new. It is assumed that this response is try and limit public debate and not say anything that might alienate pro-environment conservative voters,
The Tasmanian Government is committed to managing the existing marine park reserve system in its current form, which complements the extensive national marine reserve system.
The Government is committed to effective and sustainable management of marine resources for the benefit of recreational, commercial and indigenous fisheries and the community at large.
In managing Tasmania’s marine waters, the government uses a range of contemporary resource management practices, including controls on fish catches, restrictions on gear use and access to important breeding habitats, and control of invasive species such as the long-spined sea urchin.
The Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service, in collaboration with UTAS, completed a long-term study between 2004 and 2017 into the condition of the Kent Group and Southwest National Park marine reserves which showed that current arrangements for managing the reserves are working effectively.
The Government will continue to support the science-based management of Tasmania’s marine environment, ensuring the approach to marine conservation is backed by robust scientific information.
This did not stop the then Fisheries Minister from launching into a clearly oppositional tirade against Greens proposals that was quickly pulled from Government websites.
‘Not content with seeking even more lock-ups of Tasmanian productive land, the Greens have now turned their attention to locking up the water with their new massive recreational fishing ban plan’.
The Liberal Party Government is considered generally oppositional to MPAs, with Ministers even referring to MPA proposals as ‘lockouts’. They recently signed a commitment to the UN 30/30 targets. In a joint communique issued by State and Territory Environment Ministers on 21 October 2022, “In recognition of the scale and urgency of environmental challenges, ministers agreed: 1. To work collectively to achieve a national target to protect and conserve 30% of Australia’s landmass and 30% of Australia’s marine areas by 2030.”
The Tasmanian Government then stated that they will make no new parks declarations. They appear to expect the Federal Government to declare new MPAs on the high seas, with no action being proposed for Tasmanian waters. Deeper offshore waters are very different habitats from the inshore areas that are a State responsibility, and are in desperate need of more protection.
Australian Labor Party (Tasmanian Branch)
The ALP is currently in administration, they have not held a State Conference in recent years. That Conference would likely discuss a revision of their MPA policy. This may or may not lead to a clearer policy on this issue.
The Tasmanian ALP Platform currently states:
‘Tasmanian Labor believes in the need to protect and maintain marine species and ecosystems.
Tasmanian Labor believes that governments play an important role in moderating potential conflict between users of marine ecosystems.
Tasmania Labor recognises that Tasmania’s marine ecosystem is both a unique ecological and economic resource. It underpins our island lifestyle and offers valuable recreational benefits to the community.
Tasmanian Labor recognises the Tasmanian Marine Protected Areas Strategy.
Tasmanian Labor recognises the use of habitat mapping to identify typical, unique and sensitive marine habitats and their communities.
Tasmanian Labor recognises the importance of working closely with the Australian Government, scientific research institutions, international partners and community groups for the protection of all marine species and ecosystems…’
Tasmanian Labor will protect estuarine habitat and support environmentally sustainable aquaculture.
Tasmanian Labor will develop an integrated management planning system that reduces conflict between development and conservation in coastal, estuarine and marine areas.’
Despite the party’s official position (shown in the extract from the Party Platform ) they appear to avoid opportunities to make any statement in relation to MPAs. Our search of Hansard shows that they have not initiated any Parliamentary debate on the issue, despite opportunities to respond to Green’s statements. They have made no public statement either for or against MPAs. It is suspected that the party hierarchy is not supportive of any new MPAs. The current State ALP spokesperson for the Environment, Sarah Lovell, appears to have a singular focus on social justice issues.
They have recently shown ardent support for protests by some recreational fishermen about new fishing restrictions that are essential for the sustainable management of those fisheries. In that area their performance has been below the Government’s.
Australian Greens
The Australian Greens have committed to: ‘
17. An evidence-based strategy to establish and maintain adequate, representative and comprehensive marine sanctuaries in all marine bio-regions for the conservation of marine biodiversity, fish nursery habitat and fish stocks, supported by a comprehensive marine habitat mapping system.’
At a State level Rosalie Woodruff has made statements to Parliament
Hansard 1/6/22 [Greens alternative budget]
‘To better protect and value this island’s amazing marine environment, we fund the restart of critical work to establish a network of Marine Protected Areas in Tasmanian waters. The evidence is clear: MPAs deliver more adaptive marine ecosystems and ensure fish for the future. It is a win-win for the environment, for recreational fishers and the economy. That is why in New Zealand the fisherfolk are the fiercest defenders of no-take marine reserves.’
More details available at https://greens.org.au/policies/marine-and-coastal-areas-and-fisheries
Correspondence
Guy Barnett statement 19/4/2021
Environment Minister’s communique 21/10/2022