The ordinary act of catching a fish and taking part in an angling competition remains under a cloud, with Labor refusing to confirm if an exemption will be granted in Victoria’s new animal cruelty laws.
The Nationals’ Member for Eastern Victoria Melina Bath has been for months calling on the Allan Labor Government to publicly guarantee fishing competitions will be given an exemption after the new draft of Animal Care and Protection Bill failed to document it.
Speaking in state parliament, Ms Bath sad said anglers were deeply concerned about Labor’s omission.
“Whether an ignorant but innocent blunder, or another of Labor’s intentional ridiculous restrictions – failing to provide an exemption for organising, promoting and hosting fishing competitions is an appalling restriction on people’s rights,” said Ms Bath.
“The confusion would be cleared up immediately through the issue of a statement from the state government confirming that fishing competitions will continue into the future just as they always have.”
A parliamentary petition launched by Corinella Angling and Boating Club, sponsored by Ms Bath calling for certainty around fishing competitions closes at the end of August and will be tabled in parliament later in September.
Ms Bath said hundreds of thousands of Victorians fish, with generations of families loving to drop a line in to catch a fish for the table or catch and release.
“Fishing been a traditional pursuit of humans since the dawn of time, it must be encouraged and not restricted.
“The ask of the Allan Labor Government is straight forward – end the uncertainty and publicly guarantee fishing competitions will continue in Victoria.”
A response from Labor is due on 14 September 2024.
Caption – Catching a fish and taking part in an angling competition remains under a cloud, with Labor refusing to confirm if an exemption will be granted for the activity in Victoria’s new animal cruelty laws.
Pictured Melina Bath MP with Sally Van Hees, Secretary Corinella Boating and Angling Club with daughters Grace and Alice.
