The Australian Election Deadlock - Was Fishing the Cause?

Well what a result. Three days after national elections and we still have no clear indication as to who may form a government!

I may or may not make comment later on the election in general but feel one obsevation is worth mentioning now. As someone who likes the outdoors and sport I think an understated and normally not considered policy by the Greens and supported by the Labour Party has had a huge effect on the results.

The Greens want to increase to 50% of the Australian coastline a series of Marine Parks that will exclude all fishing, even for recreational purposes. I am not going to expound the virtues of either side of the fishing arguement here, but I know that as the largest sport in Australia and with more and more of the easily accessible coastline now off limits to the average jo who wants to throw a line in with the kids……many people are not happy. Like the old ad campaign said …Not Happy Jan.

This normally would not have an effect, but given that both major political parties in this country haven’t got many policies that distinguish themselves apart from the other, is it any wonder that the Greeens are more popular than ever. And now 3-4 independents are also over the line, themselves disenfranchised former conservative party members!

So my thought is with such complacency throughout the country, why not just vote against a single policy that screws around with your favorite hobby. In his case that meant a vote for the Liberal Party. Maybe it’s not a swing against the Labour Party at all. Just an attempt to save our fishing rights!