Press release sent to over 70 WA media outlets 

Monday, 12th April 2004

Press Release         For immediate use

The Sleeping Giant Awakens

The Fishing Party wants a voice in Australian politics

Robert Smith, the federal party chairman said today that support is being called for in Western Australia where a party sub-branch is needed with the aim of standing suitable senate candidates for the upcoming federal election and to have input to Western Australias marine resource management.

Long regarded as the sleeping giant of Australian voting blocks, angry recreational anglers and the fishing communities of NSW and QLD are already moving rapidly towards standing candidates in this   federal election for senate seats, with discussions happening as we speak, in Victoria

With both sides of politics pandering to balance of power parties, whose agendas are clearly anti- fishing, The Fishing Party is concerned that the input to the decision making is lopsided and the only voice being heard is the green lobbyist who may or may not have your best interest at heart. The Fishing Party wants to take out the "decision by emotion" factor when governments decide our future.

Recently the angry recreational fishing community of Queensland rejuvenated the Federally and NSW registered The Fishing Party by forming a state sub-branch, which is growing rapidly in numbers as we speak.

The Qld spokesman Mr Kevin Collins says the many varied impacts on the Great Barrier reef marine park will continue unabated in the new green zones yet our environment minister expects the Australian public to believe that banning recreational fishing is a great step forward which will, in his own words, "make the reef more able to withstand the effects of global warming and soil runoff during periods of heavy rain". This is from a government who refuses to co-operate internationally on climate change issues.

Our point is, why single out recreational fishers as the total cause of any perceived problem with the marine environment and allow other impacts to continue

The government really needs to be doing something about unsustainable commercial fishing practices, excessive taxes on taxes, climate issues, mainland run-off, anchor damage, large scale tourism operations, home invaders (divers), sewerage outfalls, water quality issues and coastal development not just banning recreational fishing and the like and then trying to con the public that they are doing a great job on environment issues

If the treatment of fishing communities and the management of our marine resource like we are witnessing now in most areas of our nation continues, then the amenity that we and our forefathers and our future families have and want to continue to be able to enjoy and participate in will be gone.

The Fishing Party intends to have the motto I FISH I VOTE gain momentum and our slogan

 "its more than just fishin" recognised by the bureaucrats.

If you are interested in forming a branch of this party in WA please contact the party

For further information please contact Mr Robert Smith or visit our temporary website> www.thefishingparty.info

Authorised by Robert Smith

Federal Party Chairman

ENDS