Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens’ Marine Environment spokesperson
The Greens welcome Sarah Courtney’s appointment as the State’s first female Minister for Primary Industries. In her new role, however, Ms Courtney must take responsibility for appropriately regulating the salmon farm industry to protect the marine environment and the jobs it can sustain.
Ms Courtney has an opportunity to walk away from the decisions made by the former Minister, who promoted the short-term interests of the fish farm industry and created extensive environmental damage and community division.
Many Tasmanians are now relying on Ms Courtney to end the false choice presented by the Liberals, between fish farm industry jobs or protection of the marine environment.
Salmon farming can only be sustainable when everyone has an opportunity to have a say about developments in public waters, the right to appeal decisions, and independent science and monitoring of regulation.
The previous Minister allowed the industry’s own expansion plan to be written by the three salmon companies.
As the new Minister, Ms Courtney must take the chance to halt the fish farm operations on Tasmania’s warming East Coast waters, and put in place a statewide moratorium on rapid industry expansion so affected communities and independent science can have a say.