Cassy O’Connor MP | Greens' Leader
In no surprise to any objective observer of the debate over rapid fish farm expansion, the Liberal and Labor parties voted down the Greens' move for a moratorium until the science and the policy settings protect, rather than degrade, Tasmania's marine environment.
A moratorium on the industry's rapid expansion into fragile inshore marine areas makes complete sense from an environmental, social and economic perspective.
If the Liberals and Labor were motivated to do the right thing, they'd recognise growing community concern over rapid fish farm expansion and they would support a moratorium.
They have played deaf to community concern for too long. It's well past time they started listening.
With fish farms set to move into Storm Bay as a plastic curtain from North Bruny to Nubeena, the problems created by this industry's rapid expansion will only become more evident to the community.
As the Greens have consistently argued, the industry's future is on land and far off shore.
Tasmania's marine environment is too precious to sacrifice on the altar of short term politics and profits.