A new agreement will see Western Australia’s Geraldton Fisherman’s Co-operative pack 18 flights full of Western rock lobster onto planes out of Perth over the next two months.
The Federal Member for Durack, the Honourable Melissa Price believes it is an agreement that recognises the importance of the local seafood industry following the severe and sudden interruption to exports due to coronavirus.
“I welcome the swift response from the Morrison Government. This will keep many family businesses in Durack afloat and many local people employed in a much valued west coast industry,” Melissa Price said.
The major boost to the local west coast live crayfishing industry has been assisted by the Morrison Government, helping to secure an agreement that will see around 500 tonnes of local rock lobster headed for China.
The Federal Member for Durack, the Honourable Melissa Price believes it is an agreement that recognises the importance of the local seafood industry following the severe and sudden interruption to exports due to coronavirus.
“I welcome the swift response from the Morrison Government. This will keep many family businesses in Durack afloat and many local people employed in a much valued west coast industry,” Melissa Price said.
“With demand from China starting to pick-up again, it is crucial our fishers can get their high-quality product back into these export markets so we can keep more Western Australians in jobs and generate extra export dollars for the state,” Ms Price said.
Federal Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said the new agreement would be a job saver for an industry that had been hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis.
“We recognise the current crisis is placing immense pressure on Western Australia’s seafood exporters, many of whom felt the earliest impacts when overseas demand began to dry up,” Mr Birmingham said.
This initiative is part of the Government's $1 billion Relief and Recovery Fund to support regions, communities and industry sectors that have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
For more information, refer to the International Freight Assistance Mechanism fact sheet [PDF].
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Media contact:
Rose Crane: 0427 587 395. Rosemea.Crane@aph.gov.au