Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas vows to reverse demersal fishing ban as Labor MP gets death threats

A Labor MP says he has received “death threats”, as the Opposition vows to reverse WA’s new demersal fishing ban. Liberal Leader Basil Zempilas confirmed that he would back a disallowance motion to overturn the sweeping changes when Parliament resumes next week. However, Labor has the numbers to defeat it. Mr Zempilas spent Wednesday in Bunbury and visited Leschenault Fisheries, where he described the impact as heartbreaking. “Families wiped out and their livelihoods wiped out because of a sledge hammer decision brought in by the Cook Labor Government with virtually no notice, with questionable compensation and with very, very little consultative process behind it,” he said. “It’s felt by every West Australian, both in the city and the regions, when they go to their supermarket, their cafe or their fish and chip shop, the Cook Labor Government need to explain why it is that they’ve come up with this decision, justify it.” Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis accused him of trying to leave fishers in limbo. “The Liberal Party’s decision to support the disallowance motion is a clear example of their complete disregard for the future health and sustainability of Western Australia’s iconic demersal fish,” she said. “The Opposition have has provided no alternative measures to counter the reforms which means, if the disallowance motion was successful, it would leave commercial fishers in a state of limbo and put the recreational, tourism and commercial fishing industry at risk of more dramatic measures in the future.” The Liberals and Nationals are demanding an inquiry into the “low” fish-stock levels that sparked a permanent ban on commercial fishing of demersal species and a pause on recreational fishing until September 2027. There is also a petition demanding the Government commit to “genuine and ongoing” consultation, that has received more than 33,000 signatures. But Mr Zempilas warned against targeting politicians online over the debate after Labor MP David Scaife revealed that he had received death threats and abuse on Facebook when arguing that the restrictions were about sustainability. “I had to delete and limit comments on yesterday’s post after being told I deserved ‘execution’,” he said. “I have a thick skin and tolerated most of the language, but death threats are too far and I’m calling it out.” Mr Zempilas called for calm. “People involved in that sort of behaviour should pull their heads in,” he said. “There’s no place for it. It’s unacceptable. They should be ashamed of themselves.” Commercial licence holders have been given until March 9 to accept the Government’s offer of an interim payment, as part of a $20 million compulsory buyout. Ms Jarvis has insisted the decision was based on “independently reviewed” scientific data and said the Opposition was provided hard copies of the evidence in September last year.