Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens' Environment spokesperson
Despite the scathing Four Corners exposé and yesterday's report of significant environmental damage in Macquarie Harbour from the EPA, the government still refuses to do what's needed to protect future jobs in the salmon farming industry.
This morning in State Parliament, the Minister for Primary Industries, Jeremy Rockliff, once again showed his blind industry expansion agenda. What he doesn't understand is that what’s good for the environment, is good for industry.
Australian consumers are closely watching Tasmania's salmon farming industry. They don't want to buy a product that puts the marine environment at risk.
As it stands, the salmon farming industry lacks the independent oversight and regulation it needs for long-term sustainability. The Minister has final approval of new marine leases, and only his hand-picked Review Panel can have a say.
The government must impose a moratorium on fish farm expansions and the approval of new salmon farm developments until the process is handled independently. This is the only way to ensure consumer confidence and sustainability of the industry.
If Minister Rockliff is serious about protecting the rural jobs in the salmon farming industry, he will stop interfering in the industry, and regulate it in the same way other land-based farms are already.