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Tim Bull questions Minister after VFA admits 100,000 recreational anglers breach rules annually across Victoria

The Allan Labor government cut fisheries officers from 73 to 36, raising concerns about enforcement and response. Minister refused to clarify impacts, leaving anglers and fisheries at risk amid growing non-compliance.

By news@gippsland - 2nd June 2025 - Back to News

Following the Allan Labor government's decision to cut fisheries officers across the state from 73 to 36, including positions in East Gippsland, the Minister responsible has failed to answer basic questions on how this will impact both officer presence and response levels.

The Nationals' Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, has warned that savage cuts to fisheries officers will have serious consequences for the health of Victoria's fisheries

Fisheries oversight cuts

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, put the questions to the Minister after Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) itself conceded at least 100,000 recreational anglers each year are offending. "VFA keeps telling us at every opportunity there are one million recreational anglers in the State and a 90% compliance rate - so that means 100,000 anglers are not doing the right thing," he said.

Mr Bull asked the Minister for Outdoor Recreation, Steve Dimopoulos.Given the officer cuts from 73 to 36:

• What will be the reduction in the number of on-water hours of fisheries officers in Victoria as a result
• What was the number of patrol craft before the cuts in comparison to post the reduction in staff?

"Unfortunately, the Minister simply refused to answer either question. In relation to the second, he stated there were 55 vessels prior to the restructure, but no number provided for post the changes," said Mr Bull.

Fisheries funding fails

Mr Bull added, "The responses simply included ridiculous statements like 'we're ensuring our structure reflects the evolving nature of the fisheries we manage'. It really is an insult to those anglers who are doing the right thing and leaves our fisheries officers short staffed when they are called on to enforce the laws and protect our fishery into the future."

"This is a government that has us heading to a $187 billion debt with interest repayments of $26 million per day (more than $1 million per hour) and is scrambling at every turn to cut front line services and tax us more. It all comes back to Labor not being able to manage money and Victorians paying the price. It really is as simple as that," said Mr Bull.

Pictures from Tim Bull MP website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com