Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens' Environment spokesperson
Huon Aquaculture has launched action in the Supreme Court of Tasmania and Federal Court of Australia because of the Liberal Government’s short-term, opaque and partisan so-called 'regulation' of fish farming in Macquarie Harbour.
This shows the depth of the Liberals’ failure to act responsibly and in the long-term interests of regional jobs. It also demonstrates the government's unwillingness to heed warnings, even from industry itself.
Both establishment parties have been very happy to dismiss the Greens' and conservationists' calls to protect the integrity of the marine environment. They can't ignore the calls from industry.
The IMAS report released in January shows devastating impacts from intensive salmon farming and a harbour on the point of collapse. Huon Aquaculture has clearly been pushed to take legal action, by a government that wouldn't listen.
The Government has refused to take any effective action about damage that has occurred to threatened species and the World Heritage Area. They have even refused to act following pleas from Ms Bender about the likelihood of local job losses.
The Liberals have yet to understand what “clean and green” really means to Tasmania's brand. Huon Aquaculture's court actions vindicate the essential relationship between sustainable environments and long-term jobs.
As the government won’t listen to impartial scientific evidence, local communities and conservationists about the need to regulate for the future, they'll now be forced to explain themselves in a court of law.
These court actions relate specifically to joint government failing on threatened species protection in Macquarie Harbour. This is, however, about a much bigger failure of regulation.
To have industry itself calling out for real regulation is a sign things have hit breaking point.
Minister Rockliff and his hand-picked Marine Framing Review Planning Panel are making decisions about Okehampton Bay on the East Coast right now, behind closed doors and deaf to public comment and science.
Okehampton Bay risks becoming the next battleground for an industry almost unchecked by government.