Mr ANDREW:

My question is to the fisheries minister.

With reference to the staged closure of Queensland’s gillnet fishing industry, what compensation is being offered to commercial gillnet fishing operators and the many post-harvest industries including fish marketeers, processors, retailers and downstream businesses which will all lose their livelihoods as a result of the government’s ban?

Mr FURNER: I thank the member for his question, which seems to have a bit of repetition with regard to the previous question, but I will add to it.

As I indicated in my previous response, a task force has been set up.

On that task force will be representatives from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Treasury, the Department of Environment and Science and the Department of the Premier and Cabinet.

As the member would be aware, the task force has appointed an independent chair, Mr Tanzer, who has wide experience with regard to fisheries, having worked in the past for both the Commonwealth and the Queensland government.

We will work through a process of engaging with the industry and engaging with all aspects of the fisheries sector regardless of whether someone is a retailer, a wholesaler or a fisher.

I was down the coast only a couple of weeks ago at the Australian Fishing Trade Association getting commended for the actions that the Queensland government is taking in this regard.

You have to look at the whole of the industry, not just one particular sector on its own.

It is important we recognise the value of the entirety of the fisheries sector but also look at the value of what the Great Barrier Reef provides to this state.

The member for Cairns knows all too well as does the Minister for Tourism the importance of not only protecting the Great Barrier Reef but also looking at the sustainability of the fisheries sector for our children and grandchildren into the future.

That is what we will do and we are delivering great results. We are already two-thirds of the way through our policy with regard to making sure our fisheries sector is sustainable.

Once again I encourage the member to keep up to date.

Mr ANDREW: Mr Acting Speaker, I rise to a point of order on relevance, 118(b).

Mr ACTING SPEAKER: There is no point of order. Mr FURNER: I could not be more relevant. I have explained to the House today in answer to two questions with regard to— Honourable members interjected.

Mr FURNER: I will tell you what—

Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Minister, through the chair.

Mr FURNER: We will not be going down the path of the opposition, which sought to allow black marketeers five days free for their catchments—

Mr ANDREW: Mr Acting Speaker, I rise to a point of order on 118(b), relevance. I asked about compensation. This will drive a bigger black market than anything else.

Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Order! Member, points of order are not an opportunity to debate. There is no point of order. Minister, I ask you to continue your contribution if you have further to offer. Mr

FURNER: I will continue my delivery with regards to sustainable fisheries. When we introduced this legislation in 2019 it was to provide a sustainable fisheries policy for our future. The opposition, through the member for Gympie, sought to derail—

Mr Perrett: Nonsense, absolute nonsense.

Mr FURNER: It is in Hansard, member for Gympie. Mr ACTING SPEAKER: Through the chair please, Minister