BOATING POLICY TO BE AN ELECTION BATTLEGROUND
New marine regulations due to come into force on 1 July have become a policy battleground for
the next state election for the Country Alliance party.
Party spokesman, Russell Bate, said the new regulations create some offences and raise penalties
for existing offences without credible arguments to support them.
An on-the-spot fine for not wearing a life jacket will quadruple to about $700. Challenging the fine
could cost up to $2,800. The same penalties apply for failing to notify the regulator of a change of
address.
“It is the Minister’s prerogative to ensure regulations reflect community expectations, however our
concern is that his department has deliberately ignored the boating community’s advice in this
instance,” he said.
“The scale of the increases in offences and fines is such that boat owners could be forgiven for
viewing the proposals as little more than a revenue grab by a state government which has failed to
acknowledge the immense value of the industry to Victoria”
“This issue demonstrates a clear contrast between the government’s approach and ours. Earlier
this year, we released our boating policy aimed at supporting that community by doubling the
number of boat ramps. The government’s approach is to create more red tape and to hit the
boating community with new laws and fines, without any explanation or obvious justification.
“The difference is that we see boating as an important economic contributor to the state, which is
clearly reflected in our policy.
For media comment contact Russell Bate on 0425 729 811 (mob)
Website: www.countryalliance.org Twitter: @countryalliance
Admin: admin@countryalliance.org / ph 0425 746 066
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