The West Coast community is celebrating today after Federal Parliament passed controversial legislation to secure the future of Macquarie Harbour aquaculture.
The bill, which was passed through both the House of Representatives and the Senate on Tuesday, has been met with mixed reactions, with the Greens expressing their disappointment.
West Coast Mayor Shane Pitt says the legislation will “save hundreds of Tasmanian jobs, protect West Coast families and ensure Strahan and our local primary school have a strong future”.
“I’m so proud of what we have achieved by standing strong and united as a community. We are small but bloody hell we are mighty,” he said.
“Industries like aquaculture are a life-blood to regional communities like ours, just like mining and forestry.”
The legislation passed the Parliament with support from both Labor and the Liberals.
“To everyone who stood side by side with us over the past 18-months, the workers, families, politicians and more, I want to say a sincere thank you for your support.”
The salmon industry says 120 workers are directly employed in Macquarie Harbour, as well as a prehistoric endangered Maugean skate.
Greens environment spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young yesterday held up a dead salmon in the Senate as she criticised Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s decision to throw the industry a lifeline.
Earlier in the day, Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson had confronted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during an interview, labelling supporters of the bill “heartless mongrel bastards”.
The debate has also caught the eye of Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio, who called out the issue to his 60 million Instagram followers.
“This week the Australian government will decide the fate of Macquarie Harbor and has an opportunity to shut down destructive industrial non-native salmon farms, protecting the Maugean Skate,” he wrote .
“This shallow estuary off the Tasmanian coast is one of the most important places in the world – now designated as a (Key Biodiversity Area) – which means it’s essential for the planet’s overall health and the persistence of biodiversity.”
“Help save the Maugean Skate… and prevent the extinction of this unique species and protect this wilderness from destruction.”
