Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Account 2009
A report to each House of Parliament on the disburement of Recreational Fishing Licence Revenue
Foreword
A report to each House of Parliament on the disbursement of Recreational Fishing Licence Revenue from the Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Account, 2009-2010
During 2009/10 the Victorian Government implemented new consultation arrangements to assist in the future management of the community's fisheries resources, with a strong focus on providing a broader range of opportunities for engagement and greater transparency and accountability in decision-making for all parties.
The new consultative arrangements include clear processes to provide greater opportunities for recreational fishers to have a say in setting priorities for the expenditure of the Recreational Fishing Licence revenue, including:
- Opportunities for recreational fishers and DPI to engage through Regional Roundtable Forums to be held in each major region around Victoria on an annual basis;
- Opportunities for recreational fishers and DPI to engage on strategic-level matters through a State-wide Roundtable Forum to be held on a quarterly basis, with participation generally based on a group of fishers who collectively cover the broad range of fishing types and interests across Victoria; and
- Establishing a Recreational Fishing Grants Working Group, comprising a range of recreational fishers, to provide advice on the expenditure of all RFL revenue.
The eight-member Working Group includes anglers from across the State who collectively have knowledge of the marine and inland recreational fisheries, who understand the needs of recreational fishers.
The Working Group provided advice on the operation of the new three-tiered Recreational Fishing Grants Program which comprises:
- A Small Grants Program - that is continually open to fund small projects up to $5,000;
- A Large Grants Program for projects from $5,001 to $100,000; and
- A Commissioning Program for large priority projects generally in excess of $100,000.
In late 2009, Fisheries Victoria conducted an online survey of recreational fishing licence holders to seek information regarding ways to further improve recreational fishing in Victoria. More than 4,400 people participated in the survey, the results of which will be used to guide the advice to be provided by the Recreational Fishing Grants Working Group to Government on the expenditure of recreational fishing licence revenue and to help to inform Government consideration of future investments in improving opportunities for recreational fishing in Victoria.
During 2009/10, Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Account funds were also committed or disbursed to fund:
- VRFish to provide advice to the Victorian Government about the broad range of recreational fishers' views on the management of the State's fisheries resources;
- The Victorian Fishcare program;
- The 2008/09 and previous rounds of the Recreational Fishing Grants Program and the Commonwealth Recreational Fishing Community Grants Program (rounds 4 and 5), for access and facilities, education, information and training, and recreational fisheries-related research and fish habitat improvement projects.
- Expanded stocking of native and salmonid fish species into Victorian rivers and impoundments;
- Salaries and operating expenses of some Fisheries Victoria's Field Services staff;
- Recreational Fishing Licence sales commissions; and
- The costs and expenses incurred in the administration of the Recreational Fishing Licence, the Recreational Fishing Grants Program, and the Recreational Fishing Grants Working Group.
I have pleasure in providing to each House of Parliament this report on the receipts and disbursements from the Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Account for 2009/10.
Mr Joe Helper MPMinister for Agriculture
Fisheries Act 1995
Pursuant to Section 151B(4) of the Fisheries Act 1995, the Minister (responsible for Victoria's fisheries) must cause a report on how amounts paid into the Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL) Trust Account were disbursed –
(a)to be prepared by 1 October each year; and,
(b)to be laid before each House of Parliament on or before the seventh sitting day of that House after the report has been prepared.
For the information of Honourable Members, the RFL Trust Account came into effect on 1 April 2001.
The 2009/10 financial year is the ninth full year of the RFL Trust Account's operation.
The Victorian Auditor-General has audited the receipts received, and disbursements made from the RFL Trust Account in 2009/10.
Field Services
In 2009/10, Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL) Trust Account receipts contributed $1,061,693.16 to Fisheries Victoria's compliance budget. RFL Trust Account receipts, when added to ongoing recurrent funding of fisheries compliance (education and enforcement) activities, contributes substantially to the delivery of recreational fisheries compliance services in Victorian coastal and inland locations.
Fisheries Officers have continued to have high level contact with recreational fishers in the field during the last year and reports are that there has been good acceptance and compliance with the new Fisheries Regulations introduced in 2009. This will continue to be an area of high priority for Fisheries Victoria.
Participation by Fisheries Officers in major recreational fishing projects funded from the RFL Trust Account has also increased. The annual Recreational Fishing Grants Program and Family Friendly Fishing events - funded through the Go Fishing in Victoria initiative, have all contributed to the long-term education of recreational fishers. Fisheries Officers also significantly contribute to the education of recreational fishers.
An intelligence-led approach helps the prioritisation of action, and focusing resources on the greatest threats to Victoria's fisheries. Strategic risk assessments and other intelligence products and services help Fisheries Victoria plan the best response to each issue threatening the sustainability of our fisheries. This gives us greater power to identify measure, prevent and deter fisheries crime.
Financial Report
Report concerning how amounts paid into the Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Account were disbursed in 2009-2010 financial year.
| Receipts 2009/10 | $ | |
| Total receipts from RFL sales 270,795 RFL's sold (as at 16 July 2010) including: 28,610 three-year licences, 139,431 one-year licences, 26,077 28-day licences and 76,677 two-day licences. | 6,030,043.68 | |
| Interest - investments | 90,513.70 | Fisheries Act 1995, S. 151B(4) enables money standing to the credit of the Account to be invested in any manner in which funds may be invested under the Trustee Act 1958. |
| Refunds: RFGP projects | 22,077.14 | Project # EI&T/07/08/19, 'Fishing for Success', $358.35; Project # A&F/07/08/13, 'Construction of access stairs at Sturt Point, Wye River' - $1,798.09. Project #SE/28 'Introduction to fly fishing', $451.23. Project SE/29 'Come and try fishing casting', $1.67; Project #R5143 'Improve angler access at Eildon Pondage through supply and installation of two floating fishing pontoons, $658.86; Project # S&HI/06/07/04 'Riparian environment repair for the Howqua River' - $4,045.85; Project # 11/05/06EI&T 'Fish Length Ruler', $14,763.09. |
| GST Recoverable | 7,146.72 | |
| Total receipts for the year | 6,149,781.24 |
| Disbursements 2009/10 | $ | |
| Recreational Fishing Grants Program and other projects | 1,891,342.24 | Payments to 78 projects - see Note 2. |
| Fisheries Field Services (state wide) | 1,061,693.16 | |
| VRFish | 377,119.59 | |
| Fishcare | 7,500.00 | |
| Community Information Recreational Fishing Grants Program/Recreational Fishing Licence/disbursement reporting related advertising & publicity. | 46,343.08 | |
| Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL) 6% sales commissions Applicable to sales commissions incurred during 2008/09, paid in 2009/10 financial year. | 256,273.32 | |
| Costs and expenses incurred in the administration of RFLs Salaries and on-costs. | 270,267.78 | |
| Business, corporate & other levies (common domain access levy, OH&S levy, training & development levy, centre leader levy, CBD accommodation and workstation charge, computer internal lease costs). | 212,328.35 | |
| Professional services other (Recreational Fishing Grants Program governance audit; VRFish governance audit; Victorian Auditor-General's Office audit of 2008/09 RFL Trust Account; Recreational Fishing Grants Working Group membership expressions of interest process; Fisheries Integrated Licensing System enhancements for RFL; on-line survey of licensed recreational fishers). | 110,563.87 | |
| Agency labour hire | 109,919.82 | |
| Postal expenses, printing, stationary, courier, telephones, banking charges, office equipment and software maintenance, seminar & conference attendance fees, recruitment advertising and contract services. | 93,564.22 | |
| Recreational Fishing Grants Working Group Sitting fees, sustenance, accommodation, airfares, vehicle hire, venue hire and personal expenses (six meetings). | 29,138.07 | |
| GST payable | 19,427.30 | |
| Total disbursements for the year | 4,485,480.80 | |
| Net cash inflow/(outflow) | 1,664,300.44 | |
| Cash as at 1 July 2009 | 3,404,721.70 | |
| Cash as at 30 June 2010 | 5,069,022.14 | Provision to fund 2009/10's approved Recreational Fishing Grant Program projects, and other items - see Note 3 and Note 4. |
| Amounts are net of applicable GST |
Notes to the Financial Report
These notes form part of and should be read in conjunction with the financial report of the Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Account.
Note 1 Statement of Accounting Policies
Basis of preparation.
This special purpose financial report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of theFisheries Act 1995.
The report has been prepared on a cash basis to report on how levies and application fees received in respect of recreational fishing licences have been disbursed from the trust account.
Note 2 - Payments to Recreational Fishing Grants Program and other projects during 2009/10
| Projects initially announced in 2005/06 | Grant Amount | Grant recipient |
| Study to determine angler-use patterns for Murray cod in Victorian waters including angler demographics, the recreational catch and take, and angler satisfaction; 3rd and final year of funding. Total project funding of $111,500. | $19,500.00 | Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries Research Branch, Snobs Creek |
| Sub-Total | $19,500.00 | |
| Projects initially announced in 2006/07 | ||
| Expanded stocking trial for Kerang Lakes, using dart-tagged yearling Murray cod and chemically marked fingerling golden perch from a previously funded stocking trial, stock assessments and analysis of fish samples will be conducted. A communication strategy to increase angler participation and feed back will also be developed; payment of the 2nd and 3rd year (final) of funding. Total project funding of $212,790. | $114,790.00 | Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries Research Branch, Snobs Creek |
| Angler access and facilities improvements; install signage and construct fishing platforms at various locations in Central North Gippsland; 2nd and final year of funding. Total project funding of $61,832. | $36,356.00 | Southern Rural Water |
| Fishcare 'Fish Right' workshops – conduct 300 junior angler workshops (and evaluate outcomes) across Victoria; 3rd and final year of funding. Total project funding of $99,000. | $33,000.00 | Fishcare East Gippsland Inc. |
| Lake Wartook (transferred from Lake Wendouree due to dry conditions) trial release and monitoring of stocked rainbow trout (of Tasmanian and NSW strains) to compare growth rate, survival and return to the angler compared to the existing strain of fish stocked by Fisheries Victoria; to determine if existing brood stock management practices should be altered to provide the best outcome to the angler; 3rd and final year of funding. Total project funding of $81,000. | $20,000.00 | Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries Research Branch, Snobs Creek |
| Sub-Total | $204,146.00 | |
| Projects initially announced in 2007/08 | ||
| Evaluate and validate the utility of Research Angler Diary programs as a cost-effective monitoring and stock assessment tool for the management of small recreational fisheries in Victoria; 1st and 2nd year of funding. Total project funding of $270,000. | $180,000.00 | Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries Research Branch, Queenscliff |
| Determine the extent of summer trout habitat in Lake Hume and Lake Dartmouth. | $64,500.00 | Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries Research Branch, Snobs Creek |
| Implement integrated approaches to the monitoring and assessment of recreational estuarine fisheries (through angler diary research program) for Anderson Inlet, Mallacoota Inlet, Lake Tyers, Glenelg and Hopkins Rivers, and North East Victoria. | $44,000.00 | Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries Research Branch, Queenscliff |
| Conduct an economic study of recreational fishing in Victoria; 2nd and final year of funding. Total project funding of $100,000. | $40,000.00 | VRFish |
| Implement fishery research component of Lake Tyers Fisheries Reserve Management Plan. | $30,000.00 | Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries Research Branch, Queenscliff |
| Flathead Fred's Kids' Fun Fishing Shows - conduct 'fun fishing shows' to educate children and adults in correct, safe, and sustainable recreational fishing practice; 2nd year of funding. Total project funding of $12,000. | $3,636.37 | Frederick Bayes |
| Sub-Total | $362,136.37 | |
| Projects initially announced in 2008/09 | ||
| Establishment grant and base level funding; 2nd year of funding. Total funding of $340,000. | $146,820.76 | Fishcare East Gippsland Inc. |
| Sub-Total | $146,820.76 | |
| Projects announced in 2009/10 | ||
| Hastings jetty recreational fishing upgrade; 1st instalment of 90% of funding. Total project funding of $205,991.04. | $185,391.94 | Parks Victoria |
| The purchase and liberation of native and salmonid fish to stock into Victorian rivers and impoundments; 1st instalment of 90% of funding. Total project funding of $200,000. | $180,000.00 | Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries Victoria |
| Construct two fishing platforms and access pathways from K road car park to approximately 600m downstream of eastern side of Werribee River; 1st instalment of 90% of funding. Total project funding of $140,175. | $126,157.50 | VRFish |
| Conduct an analysis of Victorian coastal and estuarine fishing facilities outside of Port Phillip bay and Western Port to determine angler usage levels and un-met infrastructure needs; 1st payment. Total project funding of $137,500. | $123,750.00 | Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries Victoria |
| Mitchell and Tambo Rivers fish habitat improvement through in stream structures, and structural habitat in the Gippsland Lakes trial; 1st instalment of 90% of funding. Total project funding of $85,000. | $76,500.00 | East Gippsland CMA |
| Reconstruct the Fisheries Jetty at Mallacoota into a purpose-built fishing pontoon; 1st instalment of funding. Total project funding of $80,090.47. | $70,881.43 | FutureFish Foundation Projects Pty Ltd |
| Enhance fish habitat and the value of the Ovens River (upstream of Bright) as a recreational fishing destination; 1st instalment of 90% of funding. Total project funding of $69,000. | $62,100.00 | North East CMA |
| Research angler diary program for Anderson Inlet, Mallacoota Inlet, Lake Tyers and waters of the North East, West Gippsland, Corangamite and Glenelg-Hopkins Catchment Management Authorities; 1st instalment of 90% of funding. Total project funding of $68,000. | $61,200.00 | Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries Research Branch, Queenscliff |
| Fishing platform extension (14 metres), solar lighting and signage installation at Griffin Gully, Corio bay; 1st instalment of 90% of funding. Total project funding of $56,269.50. | $50,642.55 | Association of Geelong & District Angling Clubs Inc. |
| Enhance in-stream fish habitat for Mid Goulburn River, upstream and downstream of Seymour; 1st instalment of 90% of funding. Total project funding of $50,000. | $45,000.00 | Goulburn Broken CMA |
| Printing of 17,500 'Weigh your catch' snapper fish sticker rulers. | $20,120.00 | Fishcare Southwest Inc. |
| Install solar light and signage at Grammar School lagoon jetty; 1st instalment of 90% of funding. Total project funding of $9,897. | $8,907.30 | Association of Geelong & District Angling Clubs Inc. |
| Stock exclusion fencing improving fish habitat and increasing angler access. | $5,000.00 | Deddick Valley Landcare Group |
| Conduct a 'Family Fishing Expo 2010' for the local community. | $5,000.00 | Shire of Melton |
| Conduct an economic study of recreational fishing for Murray cod. | $5,000.00 | VRFish |
| Conduct an 'Australian Casting Championships' event to promote fly casting. | $3,127.27 | Australian Casting Federation |
| Conduct a 'Schools fishing Day' to promote sustainable recreational fishing practices to junior anglers. | $1,834.00 | Nicholson Angling Club |
| Design and print a 'Laminated Fish Set' to promote responsible fishing practices at school workshops and community festivals. | $1,560.00 | Fishcare Mornington Peninsula and Westernport Inc. |
| Design and install 'Diver Below' - dive awareness signage at 10 priority boat launching areas around Port Phillip bay; 1st payment. Total project funding of $749.00. | $674.10 | VRFish |
| Educational resources for Fishcare 'Get Hooked its Fun to Fish' program. | $586.14 | Fishcare Central Highlands Inc. |
| Sub-Total | $1,033,432.23 | |
| Small Events Recreational Fishing Grants Program | ||
| Conduct a 'Kids Come 'n' Try Fishing Day' to promote sustainable and responsible recreational fishing practices for families. | $1,600.00 | 15 Mile Creek Camp |
| Conduct a 'Surfcoast Junior Bream Fishing Classic' event to promote sustainable and responsible recreational fishing practices for junior anglers. | $1,600.00 | Anglesea Aireys Inlet Angling Club |
| Conduct a 'Ron Nelson Memorial Junior Clinic' event educating junior anglers on correct fishing methods and responsible fishing practices. | $1,600.00 | Association of Geelong and District Angling Clubs Inc. |
| Conduct an 'Educational Fishing Charter' to educate junior anglers on sustainable recreational fishing methods. | $1,600.00 | Belmont High School |
| Conduct a 'Boat Fishing Skills Day' to educate anglers on best practice sustainable recreational boat fishing techniques. | $1,600.00 | Care Connect |
| Conduct a 'Kids Come 'n' Try Fishing Day' to introduce students to recreational fishing. | $1,600.00 | Colac Anglers Club Inc. |
| Conduct 12 'Recreational Fishing Workshops' to promote sustainable and responsible recreational fly fishing practices for anglers. | $1,600.00 | Colac Otway Shire |
| Conduct 'Dargo Carp-a-Thon' event. | $1,600.00 | Dargo Land Care Group |
| Conduct a 'Catch a Carp' day to promote responsible fishing practices. | $1,600.00 | Fishcare East Gippsland inc. |
| Conduct an 'Introduction to Fishing' workshop to promote sustainable and responsible recreational fishing practices for the local community. | $1,600.00 | Fitness Arena |
| Conduct a 'Mates on the Bay' recreational fishing day for people with disabilities. | $1,600.00 | FutureFish Foundation Projects Pty Ltd |
| Conduct a 'Kids Come 'n' Try Fishing' event to introduce children to recreational fishing. | $1,600.00 | FutureFish Foundation Projects Pty Ltd |
| Conduct a 'Come and Try Fishing Casting Day' event to introduce people to the art of fishing. | $1,600.00 | Greenwells Angling Club |
| Conduct a 'Fishing sustainably and safely in our local community' event to promote sustainable and safe fishing practices. | $1,600.00 | Marcellin Catholic College |
| Conduct a 'Learn to Fish' event to introduce children to recreational fishing. | $1,600.00 | Natured Kids |
| Conduct an 'Open Community Day' to promote sustainable and responsible recreational fly fishing practices for anglers. | $1,600.00 | Southern Fly Fishers Inc. |
| Conduct a 'Junior Fishing Day' to promote sustainable and responsible recreational fishing practices for junior anglers. | $1,600.00 | Waranga Boat Club |
| Conduct an 'Introduction to fishing' workshop. | $1,600.00 | Yarra Valley Fly Fishers Inc. |
| Conduct a 'Family Fishing Expo' for local community. | $1,591.55 | Shire of Melton |
| Conduct six 'Get Hooked, Get Started, Get Fishing' fish clinic events to promote sustainable and responsible recreational fishing practices. | $1,584.00 | Anderson Inlet Angling Club Inverloch Inc. |
| Conduct a 'Seniors Come 'n' Try Fishing Day' for senior citizens. | $1,575.00 | Surfcoast Fishing & Outdoor Club |
| Conduct a 2010 'Kids Come n Try Fishing Day' to promote sustainable and responsible recreational fishing practices for junior anglers. | $1,568.18 | Northern Suburbs Fly Fishing Club |
| Conduct a 2009 'Kids Come N Try Fishing Day' to promote sustainable and responsible recreational fishing practices for junior anglers. | $1,515.00 | Northern Suburbs Fly Fishing Club |
| Conduct an 'Introduction to Fishing' workshop to promote sustainable and responsible recreational fishing practices for the local community. | $1,454.55 | Garfield Angling Club |
| Conduct an 'Under 16 Family Fishing Day' at St Kilda Festival 2010 to promote sustainable and responsible recreational fishing practices for junior anglers. | $1,431.82 | Elwood Angling Club |
| Conduct a 'Family Surf Fishing Tuition Day' to educate families on responsible surf fishing techniques. | $1,405.00 | Oakdale Angling Club |
| Conduct a 'Fishing Club Promotion Event' to attract new people to the sport of fishing. | $1,237.00 | Numurkah Fishing Club |
| Conduct a 'Cultural Fishing Day' event to promote indigenous fishing practices. | $1,214.50 | Brophy Youth Services |
| Conduct a 'Hopkins River Kids Fishing Day' to educate junior anglers on sustainable recreational fishing methods. | $1,155.00 | Warrnambool & District Anglers Club |
| Conduct a 'Big Catch Fishing Bay Tour' event to promote responsible fishing practices. | $1,100.00 | Gateway Social Support Options |
| Conduct an 'Introduction to fishing' workshop at the Whitehorse Festival 2009. | $1,100.00 | Laburnum Angling Club |
| Conduct a 'Community Junior Fishing Day' to educate junior anglers on sustainable recreational fishing methods. | $1,025.00 | Corinella Boating & Angling Club |
| Conduct a 'Junior Angler Development & Club Promotion Day' to promote sustainable and responsible recreational fishing practices for junior anglers. | $1,020.00 | Cobden Angling Club |
| Conduct a 'Family Surf Fishing Day' for the local community. | $965.00 | Oakdale Angling Club |
| Conduct a 'Kids Come 'n' Try Fishing Day' to promote sustainable and responsible recreational fishing practices for junior anglers. | $935.00 | Fawkner Merlynston Angling Club Inc. |
| Conduct a 'Family Fishing Day' to promote sustainable and responsible recreational fishing practices for anglers. | $875.00 | Longwarry Angling Club |
| Conduct a 'Family Fishing Education Day' to promote sustainable and responsible recreational fishing practices for anglers. | $725.00 | Koroit & District Angling Club |
| Conduct an 'Introduction to Fishing' workshop at Whitehorse Festival 2010. | $612.73 | Laburnum Angling Club |
| Conduct a 'Kids Fishing Education Day' to promote sustainable and responsible recreational fishing practices for junior anglers. | $453.00 | Ballarat District Anglers Association |
| Conduct a 'School Fishing Day' event educating junior anglers on correct fishing methods and responsible fishing practices. | $325.00 | Nicholson Angling Club |
| Sub-Total | $53,667.33 | |
| Commonwealth Government's Recreational Fishing Community Grants Program (Round 5) co-funded projects | ||
| Eildon Recreational Fishing Precinct: Access Improvements and Fish Habitat Enhancement Program; 2nd and final payment. Total project funding of $127,272.73. | $25,454.54 | Goulburn Broken CMA |
| Install 16 in-stream structures in lower Mitchell and Nicholson rivers and deliver community awareness program; 2nd and final payment. Total project funding of $104,000. | $20,800.00 | East Gippsland CMA |
| Install nine webcams at locations including: Limeburners, Clifton Springs, Ocean Grove, St. Leonards, Stoney Point, Altona, Sorrento, Torquay and Apollo Bay; 2nd and final payment. Total project funding of $89,750. | $16,318.19 | Association of Geelong and District Angling Clubs Inc. |
| Install two floating fishing pontoons at Eildon Pondage, Eildon; 2nd and final payment. Total project funding of $28,830. | $5,241.82 | VRFish |
| Sub-Total | $67,814.55 | |
| Commonwealth Government's Recreational Fishing Community Grants Program (Round 4) co-funded projects | ||
| Conduct Kid's Come 'n' Try Fishing Program; 2nd and final payment. Total project funding of $27,528.88. | $2,450.00 | FutureFish Foundation Projects Pty Ltd |
| Construct Campaspe River Accessible Fishing Platform; 2nd and final payment. Total project funding of $13,750. | $1,375.00 | Shire of Campaspe |
| Sub-Total | $3,825.00 | |
| Disbursements net of GST | $1,891,342.24 |
Note 3 - proposal to fund 2009/10's approved Recreational Fishing Grant Program projects, and other items in 2010/11 and beyond as applicable
Proposal to fund previously approved Recreational Fishing Grants Program projects extending into 2010/11 financial year and beyond as applicable, and other items
Proposal to fund RFL sales commission not claimed
| Proposal | Funding | |
|---|---|---|
| $12,585.90 | Excludes RFL sales commission receipts not submitted by licence sellers. | |
| Sub-total | $12,585.90 | |
| Sub-total | $434,816.79 |
Proposal to fund 2009/10's approved Recreational Fishing Grants Program projects and emerging recreational fisheries issues in 2010/11
| Proposal | Funding |
|---|---|
| $4,634,205.35 | |
| Total | $5,069,022.14 |
| Balance remaining | $0.00 |
Note 4 - Cash assets
Cash as at 30 June 2010 of $5,069,022.14 shown in the financial statement includes $2,500,000 which has been invested pursuant to Section 151B(4)(5)Fisheries Act 1995.
Statutory Certification
I certify the attached Financial Report for the Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Account has been prepared in accordance with theFisheries Act 1995.I further state that, in my opinion, the information set out in the Receipts & Disbursements Report and notes to the financial report, presents fairly the financial transactions during the year ended 30 June 2010.I am not aware of any circumstance which would render any particulars included in the financial report to be misleading or inaccurate.Robert Krix
Manager – Statutory Consultation
Fisheries Victoria
Independent Audit Report from Auditor-General
Independent Audit Report
Recreation Fishing Licence Trust Account
To the Members of Parliament, The Minister of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Department of Primary Industries.
The Special Purpose Financial ReportThe accompanying special purpose financial report for the year ended 30 June 2010 for the Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Account which comprises the receipts and disbursements report, a statement of accounting policies and other explanatory notes to and forming part of the financial report, and the statutory certification has been audited.The Secretary's Responsibility for the Special Purpose Financial Report
The special purpose financial report has been prepared for the Minister for Agriculture in accordance with theFisheries Act 1995.
The Secretary of the department is responsible for the preparation of the special purpose financial report and has determined that the report is appropriate to the needs of the Minister for Agriculture as required by theFisheries Act 1995.The Secretary's responsibility also includes establishing and maintaining internal controls relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of the special purpose financial report that is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.Auditor's Responsibility
As required by theAudit Act 1994, an independent audit has been carried out in order to express an opinion on the special purpose financial report. The audit has been conducted in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards. The Standards require compliance with relevant ethical requirements relating to audit engagements and that the audit be planned and performed to obtain reasonable assurance whether the special purpose financial report is free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the special purpose financial report. The audit procedures selected depend on the judgement, including the assessment of the risk of material misstatement of the special purpose financial report, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, consideration is given to the internal control relevant to the entity's preparation and fair presentation of the special purpose financial report in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity's internal control.
Any assumption of responsibility for any reliance on my report or on the special purpose financial report to any person other than the Minster of Agriculture and the Secretary of the department, or for any purpose other than for which it was prepared, is disclaimed.
I believe that the audit evidence I have obtained and appropriate to provide a basis for my audit opinion.
IndependenceThe Auditor-General's independence is established by the
Constitution Act 1975.The Auditor-General is not subject to direction by any person about the way in which his powers and responsibilities are to be exercised. The Auditor-General, his staff and delegates comply with all applicable independence requirements of the Australian accounting profession.
Auditor's Opinion
In my opinion, the special purpose financial report presents fairly, in all material respects, the receipts into disbursements from the Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Account fro the year ended 30 June 2010 in accordance with theFisheries Act 1995.
D D R Pearson
Auditor – General
Melbourne2 September 2010 Published by the (former) Department of Primary Industries Fisheries Victoria, September 2010 © The State of Victoria 2010.This publication is copyright. No part may be produced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Reproduction and the making available of this material for personal, in-house, or non-commercial purposes is authorised on the condition that:
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Preferred way to cite this publication: Department of Primary Industries (2010). A report to each House of Parliament on the disbursement of Recreational Fishing Licence Revenue from the Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Account, 2009-2010, Victoria Australia.
Authorised by the Department of Primary Industries 1 Spring Street, Melbourne 3000.
Copies are also available from the website:www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/fisheries
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