Welcome fisher fee relief but more reform needed

Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis MP has welcomed yesterday’s announcement of fee relief for commercial fishers impacted by the ongoing devastating algal bloom but believes the Government must do more.

“This licence and audit fee relief for the three months from April to June 2025 is a good measure that provides immediate help for commercial fishers and is in addition to available Rural Support Grants up to $1,500 for eligible licence holders to help them cover household expenses such as utilities, groceries, rates and medical costs”, Mr Ellis said.

“But as I have been flagging since mid-2023, fundamental change to the way fisher fees are calculated is needed, with the current full cost recovery model making it prohibitively expensive for the fewer fishing businesses left after the buyout exercise.

“Expenses have not gone down but there are fewer commercial fishers left to pay for them, and this current ill wind that our fisheries are facing due to the algal bloom provides a valuable opportunity to discuss further, the currently unsustainable way fees are structured”, Mr Ellis said.

Mr Ellis was pleased to successfully pass a motion in Parliament on 18 June calling for further action on the Algae Bloom prevalence, and commends the Government on its pledge made yesterday to continue to work with operators as they navigate recovery from the impacts of this natural event.

“Minister Scriven has indicated she has been working with the relevant industry associations to assess the appropriate relief options and that she will continue to engage with them to ensure the fee relief reaches those facing hardship due to the algal bloom.

“My request is that during this vital industry engagement, please also discuss ways the currently flawed full cost recovery model can be permanently restructured to provide long term business certainty for our commercial fisheries that has been absent for far too long”, Mr Ellis said.