Wednesday, 31 August 2022

Ministers statements: recreational boating and fishing

Ms KILKENNY (Carrum—Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support, Minister for Fishing and Boating) (14:21): I rise to update the house on the important work that our government is doing in fishing and boating. Over the past eight years the Andrews Labor government has invested $128 million towards new boating and fishing initiatives. In addition to this, we are reinvesting $33 million per year into boating projects through the Better Boating Fund. Our investment is helping Victorians enjoy the great outdoors while also creating more local jobs.

It has been my pleasure to celebrate in the success of our investment with so many in this Parliament in recent weeks. The member for Nepean and I recently visited the Rye boat ramp to discuss how our $100 000 investment will address the condition of the jetty. The member for Cranbourne and I gave fish stocking a red-hot go at Casey Fields Lake in Cranbourne. I joined the member for Bass at the Tooradin boat ramp to announce that we have signed contracts for maritime engineers to develop plans for a future upgrade. Over in the mighty west I joined the member for Melton to don the waders at Navan Park. The member for Narre Warren South and I released rainbow trout at the Berwick Springs lake. The member for Clarinda and I braved the cold waters to stock fish at Karkarook Lake in Heatherton. The member for Mordialloc and I visited the Governor Road boat ramp car park to announce the completion of our upgrade. The member for Sunbury and I heaved rainbow trout over at Spavin Drive Lake. And in the other place a member for Southern Metropolitan Region, Nina Taylor, and I got into the spirit of fish stocking at Albert Park Lake.

Our record investment in fishing and boating is critical to support the more than 50 000 fishing and boating workers across Victoria. We are investing in fishing and boating and delivering and supporting thousands of jobs because this is a government focused on delivering jobs for Victorians, whether that be through the Suburban Rail Loop, our health system or fishing and boating.