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Hoping for Change?
A Letter to the new minister for Transport on behalf of the
Queensland Boating Industry
To: Hon Scott Emerson MP
Member for Indooroopilly
Level 15, Capital Hill Building
85 George Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
GPO Box 2644, Brisbane QLD 4001
Sent via email April 26 2012
Dear Mr. Emerson,
First of all, congratulations on your government’s spectacular performance in the recent election. Not to take away
from the effort in the campaign but it is no secret much of Labor's loss was self inflicted. A lot of Queenslanders had
been personally affected by the previous government and many cautiously hopeful eyes are now turned your way.
The LNP government will either succeed or fail spectacularly. I don't believe Queenslanders will accept platitudes or
gestures. Your government must make reforms as quickly and as publicly as possible. The marine industry offers
the low fruit in this regard.
Many agencies of government will require budgets and time to make a visible turn around but not the marine
industry. Many injustices perpetrated upon land owners or other groups must be balanced against the investments
of the private sector. Difficult settlements must be negotiated and resolved, but not with the marine sector.
The Queensland marine industry, especially associated as it is with tourism, offers the opportunity to
government to visibly benefit the people of Queensland with the stroke of a pen.
It would be hard to find a sector of the state economy more adversely affected than that of recreational boating,
particularly the more lucrative cruising yacht fleet. Oppressive and redundant intrusion by a litany of overbearing
regulators have driven thousands away from the lifestyle, either abandoning it altogether or driving them to leave
the state or country. Malaysia and Thailand (for example) are very pleased to accommodate the ex-pat fleet and
the income that provides for their economies. In the name of "safety" but not remotely related to that in fact,
Queensland suffers directly in lost domestic and international trade because of our reputation as officious and overly
bureaucratic.
For years The Coastal Passage has been publishing features by respected experts in law and enforcement that have
been critical of marine enforcement agencies, particularly Marine Safety Queensland (MSQ). The recent government
was fond of providing vague legislation that left the agency with an argument even on the very fringes of
interpretation. On many reported occasions, officers of the agency have gone well beyond the law, reliant on
intimidation but in spite of that, individuals have stood up to them and persevered.
Whilst some sectors of the economy enjoy government support far beyond their value, the marine industry often
suffers harassment and attack as illustrated by a law suit we understand has recently been filed against MSQ by
Peter Kerr of Lizard Yachts that alleges interference with an important contract by MSQ personnel. If this charge is
proved true, it means a potential boat building industry in Tin Can Bay was written off as a result.
The offer is extended to supply you with copies of at least a sample of the articles mentioned, or the complete
library if you wished.
It is hard to imagine a better industry for Queensland than cruising boats. Tourists that see Queensland from the
Bruce Highway are shocked if they happen to view Queensland from coastal waters. It is hard to believe it is the
same place. The coast is a greater asset than the mines in the long run and cruising boats are high volume
consumers and environmentally very, very low impact.
So there you have it. By merely removing an antagonism immediately, and allowing an industry friendly leadership
in MSQ to reform or trash the current Tomsa (Transport operations marine safety act) altogether in favour of the act
it superceded, the government doesn't just make an important reform but is seen to act in a meaningful way by
more Queenslanders than you may imagine. And no one loses!
I would look forward to an opportunity to provide additional support for items mentioned above and to expand on
the issues.
Sincerely,
Bob Norson
Publisher
The Coastal Passage