BOB_SMITH

If anybody is interested in the Final Report (446 pages in all) from the NSW Recreational Fishing Inquiry REC FISHING INQUIRY

Elanor, having one fishing party would have seen the votes not split but as I said big egos got in the way and I don't believe anybody can or should blame The Fishing Party

I formed TFP with a bunch of Newcastle guys back in 2000 because there was NO ONE supporting fishing including the Shooters (they were backing the ALP and I still have my doubts). APATHY and opposition even within my own fishing ranks was rife so now there are as you say 5 seeking the fishing vote. Fishos are their own worst enemy with too many egos and different ideas. I had my say for a number of years in Macquarie St and on every forum I might add and tried to get in the system but the doors were shut. Now it may be too late. And that was a full time exercise in most states as well where some of the arguments against getting a political voice was unbelievable.

Hi all Just to clarify a few points. The Fishing Party IS NOT part of or related to the Shooters & Fishers or Australian Fishing & Lifestyle Party. It has been unfortunate that APATHY and a party registration technicality hitch has beat us this time around so we are only standing a candidate in the seat of Paterson for Port Stephens, being Paul Hennelly at number 7 on the ballot. In addition to that we were to have stood some Senate candidates in Qld and NSW but the Coalition MPA Policy is good enough for us to back (to keep our powder dry until 24 March 2011 in NSW), so we are recommending that fishos (even rusted on ALP supporters) place the Greens last and ALP second last on any ballot paper and support the Coalition. If this offends anybody then so be it.

As a better compromise what about councils and bureaucrats initiating some extra platforms or access points solely for land fishing and leaving the ferry wharves for commuters and sightseers. Signage in different languages about cleaning up their mess wouldn't go astray either to educate the grubby ones. It's no different at some cleaning tables where some couldn't give a rats about the mess they leave them in.

With permission from Quadrant Online I have placed the link to the Article called "The Green Torpedoes That Sank the National Fishing Fleet" BY the maestro Walter Starck on TFP website under our News,Archive page as previous posts link refers (BOTTOM OF PAGE) Another good read that bureaucrats should take note of.

For anybody interested I have placed a link to the TRANSCRIPT of Monday 19th April 1st day hearing on TFP > http://www.thefishingparty.info/page10.html

achjimmy Your reference to TSP needs to be aired John Tingle supported the NSW ALP when the Marine Park Bill hit the floor in 1997 and failed to speak up for recreational fishers with any concerns of lock outs or no-fishing zones or business failures or downturns because of its intro. Mr Tingle also supported the ALP in Nov 2000 on the Marine Park Bill amendments, again no support or grandstanding for recreational anglers or businesses with lock-outs or no fishing zones. As a matter of fact I cannot recall or find any Hansard reports of Mr Tingle mentioning or supporting recreational fishers in his 12 years in the Upper House. I do realise he was representing shooters and maybe once led a delegation of commercial fishers to the Minister but fishing was absent in his recorded representation. I also cannot research (yet) any facts of where TSP has publicly campaigned against the NSW ALP fishing decisions other than slap on the wrist dorothy dixer's. I do know they are campaigning to split and seek the fishing vote which has proven to be a threat to the ALP as what happened in the seat of Port Stephens and which will certainly carry on if there is any more stupid lock-outs by stealth as in this latest green religious agenda. The fishing community needs its own political voice (s) and be a voting threat as the greens do otherwise you can lobby until the cows come home. TFP has tried and will continue if it can muster candidates for marginal seats in the House of Reps plus the Upper House. Bob Smith I FISH I VOTE (the only way they-ALP and Coalition understand if it can be harnessed)

Looks like a win for fishers in the GNS challenge by the NCC http://www.aat.gov.au/docs/2007AATA1876.doc Bob Smith Just VOTE 1 The Fishing Party

It's on again The Fishing Party A.B.N: 76 086 236 465 HEAD OFFICE (Federal, NSW State) 11Watts Close SINGLETON HEIGHTS NSW 2330 Ph/fax 0265 560338 0432252789 Email: sinali@optusnet.com.au www.thefishingparty.info September 24, 2007 NEWS ITEM for immediate distribution The Fishing Party gets re-registered in time for supporters to cast an important vote in the Federal Election. After a lengthy re-registration process the party is now officially registered and legally entitled to endorse candidates in each State and Territory for Senate and House of Assembly positions. The Fishing Party is an established and recognised minor political party which contested the Senate in Qld and NSW with group tickets at the 2004 Federal Election along with four Lower House seats in NSW. Robert Smith, the chairman and proposed NSW Senate candidate said “his phones are running hot with other party enquiries” so the party now calls for interested members or persons who may not yet be party affiliates of TFP to be endorsed for the party to get its name on the ballot paper in as many states/territories and electorates as possible. Two Senate candidates in each state are required for a group ticket under The Fishing Party name. The nomination cost is $1,000 per candidate in the Senate and $500 for a seat in the Assembly. “It is surprising what a small group of supporters can achieve in helping any candidate who wants to make a stand about their sport/recreation and it also makes the major parties wary when votes are likely to be swayed. Marginal seats are likely targets for the Assembly, “Mr. Smith stated. A reported 25% of the population goes fishing annually contributing over $3 billion to the national economy so it’s about time that “Fishing” had some political representation along with having a chance to put a balance to the green anti-fishing agenda being played out in Australian politics. The party has already proved how important “Fishing” votes are when the state seat of Port Stephens was taken from the ALP and how the greens were denied Senate positions in both Qld and NSW in the last Fed election. Not only would a fishing representative elected be debating and canvassing fishing and recreational matters but there needs to be party involvement on getting a fair outcome on vital necessities/infrastructure for the everyday Australian. A healthy environment makes for a healthy marine resource and a better way of life for all. Robert is keen to receive calls from interested persons on a confidential basis to discuss the process and requirements needed to get on the ballot paper. Robert can be contacted on 0265560338, 0432252789 or by email: sinali@optusnet.com.au or through the party website www.thefishingparty.info Robert Smith BM Chairman The Fishing Party There is an interesting link here for a workshop (past) on Commonwealth recreational fishing rights and Resource allocation > http://www.thefishingparty.info/wst_page8.html

Attention members of The Fishing Party (NSW, Vic, SA and WA) Please be aware that the Australian Electoral Commission is in the process of random sampling members for confirmation of party membership. This is a request to return their form ASAP so we can continue to be a Federal registered political party. New members are welcome to join by downloading the membership forms from www.thefishingparty.info TFP (and the community) has just helped the Liberals win the seat of Port Stephens in NSW which now sees ALL the NSW marine parks in non-Labor held electorates. Does that tell you something. Imagine what a dedicated protest vote could do in politics and what sort of a message could be delivered to non listening govts. We can only lead the horses to the water so it is up to you the fisho to help make it drinkable. The Greens now have 4 Upper House seats in NSW and a new department has taken over the management of Marine and National Parks, Water catchments and threatened species units so NSW needs to get prepared for green payoffs. (and 4 bloody years of it) Bob Smith

This ad did not quite make it but maybe next time Bob Smith

The Fishing Party congratulates Craig Baumann on a final win in Port Stephens by 68 votes. The only electorate taken from Labor by the Libs. As they say, to win by 1 vote is good but to win by 2 or more is a landslide. I also would like to take this opportunity to thank the TFP supporters in Port Stephens who supported our candidate Paul Hennelly who undoubtedly has provided the preferences to enable Craig to win. I would also like to thank Row, Ted Mackay along with Peter Hughes and his crew who unselfishly gave up their day to provide support to The Fishing Party with handing out and manning the booths and displaying signs. I know they enjoyed the day and the whole exercise. Lets hope this arrogant ALP gets the message. Further news headlines will be available during the coming days. Bob Smith

You now have to ask what role fisheries has to play NPA MEDIA RELEASES Return to NPA Media Index Page MEDIA RELEASE 3rd April 2007 THUMBS UP FOR GOVERNMENT CHANGES ON MARINE, WATER AND VEGETATION NPA commends the NSW Government on changes it announced to the management of marine parks, vegetation and water in NSW this week. We welcome the transfer of responsibility for these areas to the new Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Water. The changes announced yesterday abolish the Department of Natural Resources and move most of this department, along with Marine Parks and aquatic threatened species, to the new Department of Environment and Climate Change (formerly Dept. of Environment and Conservation) or the new Department of Water and Energy under the same Minister. “Putting marine parks and aquatic threatened species solely under the environment portfolio will ensure good science. It means the ecological needs of the 16 listed aquatic threatened species and marine parks will no longer be subjugated by fishing interests and departmental obstructions”, said Andrew Cox, executive officer of National Parks Association of NSW. “Department of Primary Industries stymied advances in marine conservation at almost every turn. “Likewise, Department of Natural Resources had been beset by cultural and performance problems since its inception, and its credibility with NSW native vegetation reforms was undermined by its poor performance on compliance, monitoring and private native forestry,” Mr Cox said. “DNR was heavily captured by the resource exploitation industries, including big agri-business, which compromised its implementation of Government policies on water and vegetation. “The arrangements align both marine and water management with Federal arrangements. As with the Commonwealth managed Great Barrier Reef, we expect NSW Marine Parks to rise in their recognition, standard of management and status. “However, while we are cautiously optimistic, there is still a lot of work to do to make sure the departmental changes deliver real improvements for management of marine parks, water and vegetation in NSW. “We do not want this to be just another shifting of the deck chairs, as we have seen with natural resource restructures in the past. Many of the major problems with the Department of Natural Resources were related to problem staff in key positions and this must be addressed. “We also want to see a major shift to fact-based transparent decision-making that is grounded on the best available scientific information in the management of our natural resources. “We look forward to best practice vegetation monitoring, strong action on illegal land-clearing, proper regulation of logging on private land, improved environmental flows for our ailing rivers and real whole-of-government progress on addressing climate change by the new Department of Environment and Climate Change and its Minister. “These changes signal a new era of responsible environmental management”, concluded Mr Cox. Contact details: Andrew Cox 9299 0000 (w); 0438 588 040 (mob) Return to NPA Media Index Page Bob Smith The button gets pressed for the final LC Count next Tuesday morning

Here is the video link. Compliments of Wayne D http://ninemsn.video.msn.com/v/en-au/v.htm...p;mediaid=77683 I believe that it has been sanitised and time slotted to cause least problems and not enough about the possibility of interference with withholding of the crucial research/evidence. I hope ICAC digs its teeth into it although 2 Ministers will not be in charge anymore. Bob Smith