Guy Barnett,Minister for Primary Industries and Water
The Tasmanian Government is committed to helping Tasmanians across the state as we deal with the ongoing impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Government’s $985 million stimulus package will deliver an additional $1.8 million for our vital fisheries sector that supports thousands of jobs across the state, especially in our regional areas.
Our primary industries are more important than ever in these difficult times, and these measures are more proof that we are fully backing the sector and doing what we can to help.
Specific measures include:
- $604,000 for fee relief for a range of wild fisheries licence fees, including commercial dive, scallops and fishing vessels;
- $427,000 for licence and rental fees relief for shellfish farming; and
- $770,000 for ShellMAP Program Fee Relief.
These important measures are on top of the initiatives we have previously announced in our first stimulus package, such as the 12 month waiver for annual fees for Rock Lobster, Giant Crab, wild capture Fin Fisheries and Abalone Divers.
Importantly, it brings the total Government support for our fishing industry to $5.5 million. That’s in addition to other benefits such as payroll tax waiving, small business loans and grants, and support for critical airfreight.
The Government is also investing $4 million into mental health support services to provide advice, support and referral for vulnerable Tasmanians, which will benefit our vital primary industries.
The Government will also waive the first quarterly bill for small business customers on Tariff 22, 94, 82 or 75, bringing further cash relief for the sector.
I also welcome the recent news that the Australian Fisheries Management Authority will allow the deferral of levies.
We will continue to listen to the sector and work with our Australian Government colleagues to do what we can to help them get through these tough times.
