Since my appointment to the Shadow Ministry in May, I have begun working my way around the nation to meet and understand the needs of industry stakeholders.

Across the three portfolios of water, emergency management, and fisheries and forestry, there is much to learn, and my team and I have been busy equipping ourselves ahead of Parliament’s return later this month.

This week, I travelled to Queensland to visit Hyne Timber’s Tuan Mill near Maryborough, as well the North Queensland townships of Mackay and Bowen to meet with local MP, Andrew Willcox, and some of his local commercial fisherman.

This trip has provided a valuable insight into the challenges faced by our fishing industry, which in the electorate of Dawson alone directly supports hundreds of jobs and small businesses.

These jobs and businesses are at risk if the current trend of overburdening regulation continues. It is time to simply let our fishermen fish.

Next week I head to Maronoa with David Littleproud to meet with farmers and landowners balancing the fine art of water management in the west.