29 March, 2024
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NSW LABOR TO MOVE AMENDMENTS TO ROCK FISHING BILL IN LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

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NSW Labor will move additional amendments to the Rock Fishing Safety Amendment Bill in the Legislative Assembly. These amendments will prioritise public safety by requiring that rock fishers wear life jackets.
 
Many members of the community know the tragedy of losing a loved one to a rock fishing-related drowning. The existing rock fishing safety legislation has been inadequate at saving lives. It allows LGAs to opt in to lifejacket mandates for high risk areas and was flawed in design and enforcement. Only 8 out of 27 LGAs on the coast have opted in, and many rock fishers don’t end up wearing any protective wear.
 
A Private Members Bill moved by the Hon. Mark Banasiak sought to address some of these issues including by extending the application of the Bill to all rock fishing locations and requiring appropriate footwear.
 
Whilst some of the amendments improve the status quo, the Bill has created unnecessary confusion, which is a safety risk. This confusion centres on the interchangeability of buoyancy wetsuits and lifejackets.
 
Therefore if the Bill comes to the Legislative Assembly NSW Labor will move amendments to omit references to wetsuits and remove the 12 month moratorium on fines. This will mean that lifejackets and appropriate footwear will be mandatory in all high risk areas.
 
We would be calling on the government to support these amendments.

JIHAD DIB MP
NSW SHADOW MINISTER FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES

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