Cassy O’Connor MP | Greens' Leader
The Tasmanian Greens have moved to establish a Joint House inquiry into fish farm expansion plans to ensure all stakeholders are heard and independent expert advice guides the industry towards genuine world's best practice.
We recognise growing community concern about the planned expansion of fish farms in to pristine East Coast waters and across Storm Bay. The Greens share that concern and a determination to ensure Tasmanian's marine environment is protected for all to enjoy.
We have been listening to Tasmanians who understand the damage done to Macquarie Harbour and D'Entrecasteaux Channel and who want an ironclad assurance of proper regulation, independent monitoring and enforcement, and absolute transparency applied to the industry.
The too rapid expansion in Macquarie Harbour and consequent environmental damage has eroded public trust in both the industry and the State Government's ability to get the policy, regulatory and legislative settings right.
As it is, Tasmanians worried about this industry's impacts feel they are not being heard by their Liberal and Labor representatives. This is particularly the case for East Coast residents who felt completely shut out of the flawed Okehampton Bay decision.
The time is right for Parliament to calmly, rationally examine the industry's expansion plans in an open and inclusive manner.
The Greens will bring on our Motion to establish the Inquiry in our Private Members' Time tomorrow at 5pm.
Motion text:
Cassy O’Connor MP on tomorrow to move -
That -
1. A joint select committee be appointed, with the power to send for persons and papers, with leave to sit during any adjournment of either House exceeding 14 days, with leave to adjourn from place to place and with leave to report from time to time, to inquire into and report upon Marine Farming in Tasmania, with the following terms of reference –
a. the current legislative requirements for planning, permitting, licensing and monitoring new and expanded fish farm operations;
b. the impact of current arrangements and future expansion on stakeholders and affected communities;
c. the potential environmental, social and economic impacts of fish farm expansion and how this may inform future management of the industry;
d. the requirements for ensuring that any future expansion of Tasmania's fish farming industry is subject to open, independent and accountable world's best practice processes that would result in a genuinely sustainable industry;
e. Any other matters incidental thereto.
2. The number of members to serve on the committee on the part of the House be three: one nominated by the Leader of Government Business; one nominated by the Leader of Opposition Business; and one nominated by the Leader of Tasmanian Greens Business;
3. The committee report by 30th September 2017. (2 May 2017)