Uncertainty continues to plague Tasmania’s salmon industry as new environmental protections appear stalled in bureaucratic processes, prompting criticism from the federal Liberals.
Despite legislation being rushed through parliament during the final sitting week, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is still considering the industry’s status under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
The department’s website shows the assessment remains “active” with a final decision “pending” on permits governing aquaculture operations in Macquarie Harbour, following concerns about risks to the endangered Maugean skate.
Liberal Senator Jonno Duniam criticised the apparent delay in implementing the protections.
“It’s clear today that Labor, in an effort to come up with a short term political fix to shore up votes in Braddon, conned and betrayed the people of Tasmania,” Duniam said.
“Documents from the Department of Environment reveal – and the statements from those bureaucrats themselves reveal – that the minister hasn’t yet made a decision, and the process remains on foot.”
Duniam expressed concern that despite the legislation passing, the minister could still potentially “shut down salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour.”
Labor Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins defended the government’s position, saying the laws were passed just before caretaker conventions came into effect with the election call.
“We’ve always been very clear that we support strong environmental protections and we support the salmon industry right across Tasmania, particularly in those rural and regional towns where this industry is operating,” Collins said.
She said the government would follow legal requirements.
“We’ve been very clear about that. We’ve also been very clear that we took advice around the legislation and will be adhering to the law.”
