Marine Queensland CEO, Don Jones and Far North Queensland Region Chairman, Wayne Bayne met with Opposition Leader Tony Abbott along with Senators Ian MacDonald and Brett Mason in Cairns on 11 June to discuss a range of key marine industry concerns.

Key issues raised with Mr Abbott included the current Bioregional Planning Process, particularly with the Coral Sea declaration as a conservation zone outside of the process and the proposed marine parks in the Fraser Coast region, the impending review of zones in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, recreational fishing and the state of the marine industry in Queensland.
Marine Queensland was invited by Mr Abbott to make a submission to the Coalition Policy Committee on key marine industry issues with a view to having them incorporated into national Coalition policy. After the meeting Marine Queensland representatives spent the following day with the Coalition Policy team to provide more detail on a range of industry issues. Marine Queensland also sponsored a detailed presentation from Dr Ben Diggles, a renowned marine biologist on science related issues for the Coral Sea, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and recreational fishing.

Don Jones congratulated the Opposition Leader on his comments supporting the marine industry and his willingness to incorporate key industry concerns into national Coalition Policy.