Media Releases

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, is confident further progress will be made on the elimination of border anomalies such as reciprocal fishing licences when the Victoria-New South Wales Cross Border Consultation Forum meets in Swan Hill this Friday, September 3.
Hosted by the Victorian and NSW Departments’ of Premier and Cabinet, Mayors and State Members of Parliament for border electorates and Victorian and NSW Government representatives will be attending this meeting.
“One of the many issues I will be canvassing will be that of recreational fishing licences and I am very confident that some resolution will finally be achieved,” Mr Walsh said.
“It is ludicrous that people living along the border between Victoria and New South Wales still require a NSW licence to fish in the Murray River and a Victorian licence if they move into one of the Victorian tributaries and offshoots such as the Loddon and the Little Murray,” he said.
“This is an issue which was to have been resolved with the introduction of reciprocal licences in early 2009 and it is disappointing that the Victorian and New South Wales Primary Industries Departments have still not reached an agreement.
“I’m advised continuing leadership changes in the NSW Premier’s office is a reason for the delay, but with Kristina Keneally in office since December 2009, there has surely been sufficient time to act on this matter.
“Victoria offered reciprocal licences back in the 1980s but the offer fell through when the NSW Government sought compensation for any loss of revenue.
“Border anomalies are a cause of enormous frustration to people living along the Victorian –NSW border with many businesses continually being confronted with unnecessary red tape and restrictions,” Mr Walsh said.
“The Cross Border Issues Forum was established in July 2006, and has met annually since then to look at identifying and rectifying the massive range of anomalies that exist.
“I am very hopeful that this week’s meeting will go a long way to overcoming many of these anomalies,” he said.