The pot calling the kettle black!

The Australian Fishing and Lifestyle Party would be delighted to have truth-in-advertising, legislated as suggested today by Greens' Senator Christine Milne.

Such legislation should also incorporate legislation to make political leaders accountable so that they would be disqualified from standing or holding office if they are found to be knowingly making false and misleading statements during an election campaign.

Such legislation if "it was current" could be a problem for the Greens. At this time, Greens leader Bob Brown is still confused about marine matters even though so much is at stake:- jobs, industries, recreational enjoyment, tourism - and importantly - our Australian way of life and a sense of fair play.

Voters expect to be told the facts and not misled by politicians?

Greens leader Bob Brown has made many statements that are erroneous and have been discredited by experts:

1. "we have lost 90% of the great fishes - Marlin, Tuna, Snapper"
- You Tube link Nine News 1st August 2010: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhXftjTxNQM

2. "marine protected areas are the nurseries for the future fisheries"
- You Tube link - Seven News 1st August 2010: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVBI9WVccG8

3. "fish stocks have fallen dramatically"
You Tube link ABC Radio 17 August 2010:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEy-mAVWYbg

Statement # 1. - based on flawed science
Brown is quoting research that has been discredited not once, but seven times. Either he finds it convenient to refer to flawed science or he is ignorant of the facts. Scientists who have discredited his statements are:

Dr. Ben Diggles - Brisbane, marine biologist and independent, industry focused aquatic animal health specialist for Australasia's fisheries and aquaculture industries.- http://www.digsfish.com/

Dr. Walter Starck - Townsville, marine biologist - http://www.goldendolphin.com

Professor Ray Hilborn - University of Washington - researcher and adviser to several international fishery commissions

These are all marine experts and not terrestrial scientists that have no expertise in marine matters.

Statement # 2. - Bob Brown appears to be confused
Marine biologists disagree with Bob Brown. The Greens don't seem to know a lot about fish nurseries. Click here to read about the real nursery concerns expressed by Marine Biologist Dr. Ben Diggles. Most juvenile fish seek protection in estuaries or inshore reefs. They are not seeking respite from the imaginary onslaught by blood-thirsty fishermen, but from natural predators that account for well in excess of 90 per cent of all juveniles. Juveniles are a vital part of the food chain, which is why fish spawn great numbers of off-spring - ask any marine biologist.  If Brown has made a mistake on something this basic, what other misinformation is he feeding voters?

Statement #3. - reality check - the facts do not support Bob Brown's statements on fish stocks when industry figures have advised the following:-

• best Marlin season off Cairns in living memory
• best Tuna catch ever off NSW
• best prawn catches for years off Gold Coast
• best prawn catches for years Mooloolaba
• best prawn catches for years Tin Can Bay

- so where is the evidence of this dramatic fall in fish stocks in Australia.  We already have what is acknowledged as the most successful fisheries' management in the world.

Christine Milne might be pained by an industry that is exercising it's democratic right to draw attention to the welfare of tens of thousands of Australians who are suffering anxiety over the Greens' policies by standing up and encouraging Australians not to vote for the Greens or their Labor mates through an advertising campaign. Even the Labor Party in their press release 16 August 2010 by Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage & the Arts - Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is stating that the Greens' policies on marine parks are not based on science.

Fishermen in particular and Australians in general have had enough of dishonesty in politics so Christine Milne - bring it on - but let's not have the pot calling the kettle black. Let's start with your leader Bob Brown being held accountable for making statements that he has made in this election campaign that he dodged when questioned by the ABC's Madonna King yesterday - these statements as outlined above are simply not true. Don't take our word for it- listen to the actual recordings accessible by the links above and then we can put you in touch with the experts.

How can anybody take the Greens seriously if their leader does not want to deal with the facts?

Bob Brown has to come clean with the Australian voters. The advertising by AFTA is credible - let's see if the Greens are!

Keith Douglas
Senate Candidate
Australian Fishing and Lifestyle Party

M: 0419 650 091

Email: keithdouglas@fishingandlifestyle.com

Web site: www.fishingandlifestyle.com

"There is no credible scientific evidence to suggest that marine parks are anything more than a hypothetical solution to a non-existent problem." - DR WALTER STARCK

Authorised for the Australian Fishing and Lifestyle Party by Robert Erskine 51 Mulgrave Rd., Cairns QLD 4870.