Put Tasmanian salmon workers ahead of inner-city activists, says AWU chief Paul Farrow
AWU boss Paul Farrow has joined senior Tasmanian Labor figures in demanding that Tanya Plibersek end uncertainty for salmon workers and put them ahead of inner-city activists.
Australian Workers Union boss Paul Farrow has joined senior Tasmanian Labor figures in demanding that Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek end uncertainty for salmon workers and put their livelihoods ahead of the “exaggerated concerns of inner-city activists”.
In his first public intervention over the damaging political stand-off pitting the salmon industry against green activists, the AWU national secretary said the Albanese government must finalise its review and not leave “whole communities dangling like this”.
Amid internal government concerns that Ms Plibersek’s drawn-out reviews into the endangered Maugean skate threaten Labor’s electoral prospects in the Tasmanian seats of Braddon, Lyons and Bass, Mr Farrow said “the government has delayed this … long enough”.
With the $1.36bn salmon industry supporting more than 5100 jobs across Tasmania and one in two jobs in the west coast town of Strahan, Mr Farrow backed state Labor Opposition Leader Dean Winter in calling on Ms Plibersek to “expedite the decision” on salmon fisheries in Macquarie Harbour, located in the key seat of Braddon.
“The core question remains clear: do we care more about the livelihoods of regional Tasmanian families or the exaggerated concerns of inner-city activists? For years the AWU has had to defend the salmon industry against unhinged attacks and misinformation,” Mr Farrow said.
“It’s striking how inner-city activists are flexible about their own environmental impact, such as frequent air travel, but have no qualms about demanding extreme measures that put blue-collar jobs at risk.”
Representing workers across the aquaculture industry including processors, hatchery attendants, farm managers, feeders and divers, Mr Farrow said Anthony Albanese and his government must fast-track solutions allowing salmon fisheries to co-exist with the skate.
“This is now the second Christmas that Tasmanian salmon workers have been left in limbo not knowing what the future holds. It’s just not right to leave whole communities dangling like this,” he said.
“Tasmania’s salmon industry is a global leader in environmental monitoring and compliance, employing rigorous standards like biomass and nitrogen caps. This is a highly technical, ethical, and responsible sector that Tasmanians – and all Australians – should take pride in. As the Prime Minister has acknowledged, the aquaculture industry and the Maugean skate can coexist. Let’s put that solution into action so workers in this community can breathe easier and get on with their lives.”
Amid rising industry hopes that Mr Albanese can successfully navigate legal barriers and land a positive outcome ahead of an expected visit to Tasmania next month, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Julie Collins toured the Huon salmon farm in her electorate of Franklin.
The Australian on Monday revealed that polling indicates Ms Collins’ margin in her safe Labor seat could take a significant trim if the salmon issue remained unresolved ahead of the election. Mr Albanese and other cabinet ministers have also toured salmon operations in Braddon and Franklin this year.
Ms Collins, who as Tasmania’s most senior cabinet minister had been criticised locally for not being more vocal in backing the salmon industry, posted on social media that she had “always been a big supporter of Tassie salmon”.
“Big news today! The forecast value of agriculture, fisheries and forestry is set to be worth $94.3bn in 2024-25 – the second-highest on record. This result is possible thanks to the contribution of farmers and producers across the country including Huon Aquaculture in Tassie,” Ms Collins posted on Facebook.
“I have never missed an opportunity to show off the industry to my colleagues – from Kevin Rudd during my first campaign to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese earlier this year. As the minister now responsible for this industry in government it gives me great pleasure to discuss the contribution it makes in Tassie and to our national economy.”
The long-running salmon saga threatening to drag down Labor’s vote in key Tasmanian seats was sparked after Ms Plibersek last year ordered a review into 2012 approvals by the then Labor government allowing expanded salmon fishing operations in Macquarie Harbour.
The three applicants seeking reconsideration of the decision were the Bob Brown Foundation, Australia Institute and Environmental Defenders Office.
A separate Threatened Species Scientific Council review into whether the skate should be listed as “critically endangered” was recently delayed by 12 months. If the status of the fish is upgraded, there would be significant impacts for salmon fisheries and other industries in Macquarie Harbour, which is six times the size of Sydney Harbour.
Amid rising pressure on Tasmanian MPs and Senators to speak out, JLN Network leader Jacqui Lambie on Tuesday declined to publicly support the salmon industry and workers.
In contrast, independent Tasmanian senator Tammy Tyrrell, who quit Senator Lambie’s party in March, strongly backed the salmon workers.
“I’ve been to Strahan to visit the workers. They’re stressed – they’re not sure if the rug is going to be pulled out from under them at any moment. I know what it’s like to live with uncertainty, to not know when a pay cheque might be your last. It’s no way to live. These workers need to have clarity,” Senator Tyrrell said.
“Salmon farming in Tassie has become an all or nothing argument. But I believe there’s a way the industry can thrive and we can look after the environment at the same time. It’s about finding solutions that actually improve outcomes for both sides.”
Opposition environment spokesman and Tasmanian Liberal senator Jonno Duniam said “there is no grey area on this … you are either for the industry and sustainable Tasmanian jobs, or you are against them”.
“We need our leaders to have convictions, but that is sadly lacking from many Tasmanian representatives at the moment,” Senator Duniam said.
“We should never have got to this situation. We need this issue to be resolved immediately. I would hope that all Tasmanian representatives make the same commitment that the Liberals have made to do everything we can to ensure that salmon farming will continue on Macquarie Harbour.”
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