The Australian Fisheries Management Authority officially opened its new office at Lake’s Entrance today, delivering eight new jobs to the region.
The offices are located in the Federation Training building on Bullock Island.
Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud and the Member for Gippsland Darren Chester welcomed the move as part of the National Party’s decentralisation agenda.
"Hooking AFMA in to Lakes Entrance, one of Australia’s largest fishing ports, is critical to the sustainable management of our fisheries," Minister Littleproud said.
"Having the eight staff at Lakes Entrance will also reduce red tape for fishers.
"Country people deserve public service jobs just as much as city people do.
"Decentralisation brings new jobs to country communities and to the small businesses just trying to have a go."
Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the Lakes Entrance community had a commercial fishing industry to be proud of, with many generations of locals relying on the industry for over a century.
"The Commonwealth commercial fishing fleet based in Lakes Entrance brought over $22 million into the Australian economy in 2016-17. It delivers fresh flathead, gummy shark, whiting, scallops and squid to fish and chip shops, supermarkets and fish markets around the country," Mr Chester said.
"Decentralisation is an important way to grow regional communities like Lakes Entrance and bring government decision-makers closer to the people they serve."
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