Thursday, 22 February 2024

Northern Metropolitan Region

Samantha RATNAM (Northern Metropolitan) (12:42): (696) My constituency question is for the Minister for Outdoor Recreation, and I ask if he will establish a fishing rod amnesty for the unwanted fishing rods from the government’s free little angler kits. Local government councillors in my electorate have been telling me that Labor’s fishing rods are injuring and killing more and more local wildlife. We learned in December about the tragic death of Evie, the beloved swan that lived at Edwardes Lake in Reservoir. Evie died due to one of these stray fishing hooks. She is survived by her partner Kevin. Fishing is not allowed at the Edwardes Lake. Despite this, wildlife rescuers are reporting a steep increase in fishing-related injuries. The Darebin mayor Susanne Newton questions if there is enough education provided to students about using Labor’s fishing kits. How many more swans will die before the government will rethink its ill-conceived idea? For the amnesty I will be making my office available as a drop-off point for unwanted fishing rods, and I encourage other MPs to do the same.