Labor has accused premier Jeremy Rockliff of manufacturing a crisis in the state’s salmon industry to secure support from anti-aquaculture MPs last month.
Deputy Labor leader Janie Finlay claims the premier deliberately misrepresented the situation when he told independent MP Peter George about a “very serious event” requiring an emergency response.
“We’ve had Minister Pearce actually very clearly say there was no crisis in the salmon industry earlier this year,” Finlay said.
“The premier intentionally constructed an opportunity to pick up the phone and call Peter George and say that there was a serious issue and it required an emergency response.”
The dispute stems from events following a mass mortality incident last summer, which prompted industry requests in February for approval of a new antibiotic, florfenicol.
Finlay alleged the premier used the situation to justify actions that would gain support from anti-aquaculture crossbenchers.
“The premier has intentionally thrown the lives of Tasmanian workers right across this state upside down. He has constructed a crisis that didn’t exist to secure his leadership,” she said.
Minister Pearce defended his position when questioned in Parliament, saying he stood by his earlier statements.
“At the time that I gave that briefing to crossbenchers … there was no excess of the reportable limit in the salmon industry and I stand by that fact,” Pearce said.
“I can only inform you on the facts in front of me at the time.”
“If you want me to second guess what the premier said, I suggest the member speak with the premier.”
