Peter Dutton slams Tanya Plibersek over impending decision on Macquarie Harbour salmon industry
Ahead of a decision that could heavily affect the aquaculture industry on the West Coast, Peter Dutton has urged Tanya Plibersek to not politicise the issue.
Tasmania
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Opposition leader Peter Dutton says he’s concerned the federal government’s decision around the aquaculture industry in Macquarie Harbour on the West Coast could be a political one.
Mr Dutton met with salmon industry figures and workers at Strahan on Sunday.
Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek is currently reviewing existing aquaculture permits granted under the provisions of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
The review is taking place following a push from environmental groups who believe aquaculture activity in Macquarie Harbour is contributing to the declining numbers of the Maugean skate.
The species is endemic to the harbour and is currently classified as endangered.
Mr Dutton said he was worried about the salmon industry in Macquarie Harbour being destroyed.
“The fact is that we’ve got a political decision that’s been taken, driven by radical environmental groups, that is at the moment being presided over by Tanya Plibersek, which is likely to adversely affect this community,” he said.
“The young people we spoke to this morning lose their jobs, their kids lose the future of living in this wonderful environment, and it’s all unnecessary.
“We need to make sure that the process is condensed and a decision is arrived at quickly.”
An oxygenation trial, which has been partially funded by the salmon industry, is underway in Macquarie Harbour in an effort to save the Maugean skate.
“Without the industry and financial support of the companies, those trials wouldn’t be taking place,” Mr Dutton said.
“The industry wants nothing more than a sustainable environment to continue to flourish here in this wonderful harbour.
“The Tasmanian brand is such a strong one, and why Anthony Albanese and Tanya Plibersek would want to destroy that, and with it, the local jobs and the local livelihoods of people who would have been here for three or four generations is beyond most people’s comprehension.”
Ms Plibersek said she could not comment due to legal reasons, but Prime Minister Anthony Albanese previously told reporters when he was in Tasmania earlier this month that the aquaculture industry and the Maugean skate could coexist.
“We have environmental laws that have to be dealt with … they’re not optional, they’re the law, and we comply with the law, and we do so in a sustainable way, and we’re working with industry to work through these issues, and I’m confident that we’ll continue to do so,” Mr Albanese said.
“There are some people who want to shut down every job that’s created everywhere.
“What I do is to work through sensible environmental positions, sustainable positions, make sure that we work together and use science to find solutions to challenges which are there.”
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Originally published as Peter Dutton slams Tanya Plibersek over impending decision on Macquarie Harbour salmon industry
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