Fishing Party (Australia)
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| The Fishing Party | |
|---|---|
| Leader | Robert Smith |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Office | 11 Watts Close SINGLETON NSW 2330 |
| Political Ideology | Populism, Protectionism |
The Fishing Party (TFP) is a minor Australian political party whose primary support base is found among recreational fishermen and women. The party was founded by Robert Smith in July 2000 and it has branches in several Australian states. It is headquartered in Singleton, NSW. The party’s major platform is the challenging of laws which it considers to be damaging to commercial fishing practices. The party’s motto is 'I FISH & I VOTE'. TFP has protectionist leanings, in that it wishes to control risk to flora and fauna from infections carried by imports. It sees itself as a 'environmentalist' group with a priority on management and access rather than preservation. It therefore seeks to promote sustainable recreational fishing, with an emphasis on humans as being part of the eco-system, not apart from it.
After enlisting 500 members, the party achieved federal official party status on September 25, 2001. On enlisting 750 members, it achieved NSW official party status on January 29, 2002. On March 10, 2004, the Queensland branch was launched and on May 13, 2004, the Victorian branch came into being. The Fishing Party (Queensland branch) (TFPQ) achieved party registration in 2006, but not until after the 2006 Queensland State election. Nevertheless the TFPQ ran 4 candidates as independents, and they averaged 8% of the vote, within their respective electorates. The Qld party broke away from the NSW based organisation , using the deregistration of all small parties to register a new name and attempt to widen its appeal and voter base and is now registered with the AEC as The Australian Fishing & Lifestyle Party and no longer has any connecting with The Fishing Party.
The party has 1200 financial members and has extended its policy base to include representation for all outdoors user groups and recreational pursuits.
The Fishing Party contested the NSW election in March 2007, and gained 1.5% of votes for the Legislative Council (Upper House). To date the party has not achieved parliamentary representation.
Founder, Robert Smith is a past Australian Anglers Association President General, and is presently the President of the NSW Fishing Clubs' Association.
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