2026 State Election

VRFish have developed our Election Priorities to advocate for better recreational fishing ahead of the upcoming Victorian State Election.

In the lead up to November’s election, VRFish presented our Election Priorities to both sides of Government to advocate for outcomes that are important to Victorian recreational fishers. VRFish will continue discussions with all State political parties, including the current State Government, Opposition, minor parties and local members, in the lead up to the election to ensure recreational fishers are strongly represented.

VRFish State Election Priorities

BETTER FISH

Growing new recreational fishing opportunities

$10m to establish Victoria’s first Estuarine Fish Hatchery, growing Estuary Perch, Australian Bass, Mulloway and Flathead.
$10m to modernise trout production facilities at Snobs Creek Hatchery.

BETTER ACCESS

Enhancing recreational access to our waterways

Mandate recreational fishing access to all urban waters throughout Victoria, including Edwardes Park Lake and Newport Lakes.
Develop new inland fisheries close to Melbourne by opening Yan Yean Reservoir, Merrimu Reservoir and Djerriwarrh Reservoir to recreational fishing.
Roads to rivers: Provide additional funding to improve crown land access to public water, by activating ‘unused road reserves’.
Continue to deliver priorities from the Victorian Recreational Boating Strategy.

BETTER ENVIRONMENT

Safeguard the quality of our fisheries and fishing experiences

$2.5m fish habitat fund, for the delivery of marine and inland habitat restoration projects.
Support carp control measures.
Water Security: protect the recreational fishery on the Wimmera-Mallee pipeline by allocating recreational water for recreational fishing.
Native Fish Recovery: broaden the 10 in 10 endangered fish species recovery program, with additional funding for research and monitoring.

BETTER REGULATIONS

Making it easier to go fishing

Kingfish Capital: Make kingfish a recreational only species in Victoria.
Review recreational abalone regulations, with a view to provide more equitable access in ‘Victorian Central Waters’.

BETTER FUTURE

Investing in our people and supporting our sector

Secure the future of VRFish as the peak body, by extending the funding agreement to 5-year terms.
Provide VRFish $100,000 to deliver two emerging leader courses in 2027 and 2029.
Support fishing clubs through a $2,000 ‘Stronger Fishing Club Grants’ program.
Empower the next generation of fishers through continuing to deliver the ‘little angler kits’.