Anthony Albanese heckled in Tasmania during candidate announcement

During a candidate announcement in Tasmania, the Prime Minister was heckled by protesters calling on him to save an endangered fish.

Anthony Albanese has been heckled by protesters during a candidate announcement in the marginal seat of Lyons Hobart’s northeast.

In his second press conference on Tuesday, the Prime Minister announced current state MP, and former opposition leader Rebecca White will make a run for the seat following the exit of Labor MP Brian Mitchell.

However, the media event was interrupted by about three protesters who were calling on the government to save the Maugean Skate, an endangered fish native to the state, shouting: “Save the Skate”.

Attendees, who held large signs were also heard saying: “Keep your promise, no more extinctions”.

Save the Maugean skate protesters at a press conference held by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to announce Rebecca White would run in the federal seat of Lyons. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Protesters were heard saying: ‘Keep your promise, no more extinctions’. Picture: David Killick

Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Albanese had announced $28m in new funding to improve water conditions and increase oxygen levels at Macquarie Harbour in the state’s west, the only known home of the fish.

$5m of the funding was dedicated to increase breeding programs to boost the Maugean Skate population, with $2.5m committed to population monitoring and community engagement.

Both Mr Albanese, Ms White and Agriculture Minister Julie Collins ignored the interruption and continued with the press conference and answered questions from reporters.

“The task of government is to make sure that industry can operate, jobs are created, but that we have protection of the environment and a sustainable industry,” he said.

“I support the jobs that come from economic activity here in Tasmania … but we need to make sure that the industry operates in a sustainable way.”

However conservation advocates have argued the endangered skate population cannot live alongside salmon farming, and would not be addressed through added oxygenation.

Australian Marine Conservation Society campaign manager Alexia Wellbelove said the government’s approach did not address the root cause of the problem.

“Salmon biomass has not been reduced in the harbour since the Maugean skate’s plight became known 18 months ago,” he said.

“The Australian taxpayer is having to subsidise the salmon industry for its environmental destruction and fund a government gamble on unproven technology.”