Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson has again taken the fight for local fishing families to the NSW Parliament.
He has delivered a Private Member’s Statement, calling on the Minns Labor Government to provide immediate financial support for Clarence River and Evans Head commercial fishers impacted by the extended white spot biosecurity orders.
Mr Williamson said the continuation of restrictions without compensation has left fishers in a dire position, with boats idle, businesses struggling, and families under immense financial pressure.
“For generations, fishing families in the Clarence and Evans rivers have supported our local economy and provided world-class seafood to communities right across NSW,” Mr Williamson said.
“Now, after three years of biosecurity restrictions – despite more than 10,000 negative tests for white spot in the Clarence estuary – they’ve been forced off the water again, and this time, the government has walked away from supporting them.”
In his speech, Mr Williamson renewed his call for the Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty, to immediately reinstate financial assistance, following the extension of the biosecurity order until December 9 this year.
“I wrote to the Minister weeks ago and have raised this in the media. But to date – silence,” Mr Williamson said.
“These are generational fishing families who’ve done nothing wrong. Their boats now need thousands of dollars in repairs just to return to work, yet the government has turned its back on them.”
Mr Williamson also called for a science-based revision to the biosecurity order to separate estuarine and offshore zones, allowing fishers to safely and sustainably return to the Clarence River.
“We’ve had zero detections in the estuary. It’s time to stop treating the offshore and estuarine zones as one. Let the evidence lead the response, and let our fishers work.”
He also repeated calls for stronger Federal biosecurity controls on imported uncooked prawns from white spot-positive countries, saying it was “absurd” that Australian fishers were locked down while overseas imports continued.
“The double standard is staggering. We’re punishing our own clean, green industries while allowing overseas products in from countries with endemic white spot,” Mr Williamson said.
He vowed to keep the pressure on the NSW Government until justice is delivered.
“Our local seafood industry is world-class; clean, sustainable, and community-driven. I’ll keep fighting for support, fairness, and a future for these families.”
Read Mr Williamson’s speech here.
