Cassy O'Connor MP | Greens' Leader and Parks spokesperson
Tassal CEO, Mark Ryan, yesterday publicly told Tasmanians that Tassal's operations in Macquarie Harbour had polluted the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
Late last night, this statement was retracted by Tassal.
The truth is not yet established. This is a very serious matter.
What is the truth and, given the unhealthy, cosy relationship between the Hodgman Liberal Government and Tassal, how can Tasmanians have any faith that they will be given the facts?
There are significant legal consequences under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act for any action that damages the TWWHA.
To date, the Federal Liberal government has done nothing to ensure the TWWHA is not being damaged by fish farming in Macquarie Harbour.
As a result, and coupled with the Tasmanian Government's woefully inadequate regulatory regime, both Federal and State governments are culpable for extreme environmental damage to Macquarie Harbour.
The Federal Environment Minister must now step in.
Have Tassal's grossly overstocked and under-regulated operations in Macquarie Harbour broken the law in relation to the TWWHA?
Our World Heritage is worth too much to Tasmania and the world to be exploited for profit while a compliant Premier and his Ministers wilfully turns a blind eye.
As Minister for Tourism, Mr Hodgman should step up and start looking after the wilderness that underpins the sector and the jobs it creates.