Controversial salmon farming legislation passes the Senate despite protests
The passing of controversial legislation to secure the future of salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour has triggered a range of reactions ranging from celebration to dismay.
Tasmania
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Controversial amendments to national environment laws have passed the Senate to the delight of Tasmania’s aquaculture industry and the dismay of conservationists.
Labor’s changes to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act intended to protect salmon producers from legal challenges against their operations in Macquarie Harbour were passed late on Wednesday night.
It comes after a bid by environment groups to seek a review of aquaculture in the area because of its impact on the critically endangered Maugean skate.
But the industry has countered with a campaign to protect its access to Macquarie Harbour and local jobs.
West Coast Council Mayor Shane Pitt said he was celebrating the passage of the new laws.
“It is officially mission accomplished for the West Coast,” Mayor Pitt said.
“Working together, our community has saved hundreds of Tasmanian jobs, protected West Coast families, and ensured Strahan and our local primary school have a strong future.”
Shadow Environment Minister Jonno Duniam said he had long been concerned about over Labor’s treatment of salmon workers and was relieved on behalf of Tasmanians.
“Labor were brought kicking and screaming to fix this problem of their own making. This would all have been fixed some time ago if Tanya Plibersek had simply ended her activist-initiated EPBC review,” he said.
“Though it is late in the piece, I am relieved for honest, hardworking Tasmanian salmon businesses and workers that we can put this sorry saga behind us.
“The Coalition has always stood up for salmon workers. The Prime Minister only eventually created his legislation because he didn’t want to lose votes in Tasmania, and rode roughshod over his own Minister in the process to get a political fix through.”
“The mistreatment of Tasmanians during this sorry saga has been appalling.”
Australia Institute Tasmania director Eloise Carr said the changes to the law amounted to environmental vandalism.
“Labor and Coalition MPs described what they were trying to achieve as ‘fixing a flaw’ in the EPBC Act. There was no flaw in the law.
“For once, just as our nature law was about to do what it is supposed to – protect world heritage and species threatened with extinction – the major parties have changed the law.”
And Neighbours of Fish Farming campaigner Jess Coughlan said the legislation was to the detriment of environmental protection.
“It has exposed the ugliness and duplicitous nature of serving an industry that claims sustainability and community, whilst at the same time forging ahead with destructive practices that harm our natural heritage and attempt to convince communities that “there is nothing to see here,” she said
‘Heartless mongrel bastards’: Senator fires up over salmon
Tasmanian senators have engaged in a heated clash over new laws to protect salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour, with Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson labelling supporters of the bill “heartless mongrel bastards”.
The government-proposed legislation, which would take power away from the federal environment minister to consider requests by third parties, passed the House of Representatives on Tuesday with the support of the Coalition.
As debate moved to the Senate on Wednesday morning, Sen Whish-Wilson was called on to withdraw his comment by fellow Tasmanian, Sen Helen Polley.
“It pains me to say this, but I can’t withdraw in good conscience, because that’s how I feel, and I believe that is the truth,” Sen Whish-Wilson initially told the acting deputy president, before withdrawing unconditionally.
Sen Polley described the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment Bill as a “minor change” to existing legislation, but one that would provide Tasmanian salmon workers.
“As a Tasmanian I know and understand how important this industry is to our economy, to the people who work in this sector, and to the communities that support those workers,” Sen Polley said.
“As a government, we’ve invested $37.5 million for the Maugean skate’s conservation, including a successful captive breeding program, and expanding the oxidisation program in Macquarie Harbour.
“I’m very proud of our government for standing up for these communities, and taking on the challenge of the Greens.
“But what I really don’t accept is the misinformation … and scaring people about the dead fish that are washing up on the beaches.
“I mean, it’s just nonsense.
“The extremes that they will go to get a political opportunity that is all about their own political interests, when we’re talking about scientific evidence.”
Earlier in the day, Sen Whish-Wilson heckled Prime Minister Anthony Albanese over the salmon legislation, as the Prime Minister was conducting a post-budget interview with a television journalist outside Parliament House.
Protesters glued to parliament stairs as salmon laws tabled
As the federal government moves forward with legislation effectively sealing salmon farming’s future in Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania’s West Coast, protesters were detained at Parliament House in Canberra after three glued themselves to stairwells in the foyer.
The legislation was tabled in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, and if it is passed, changes will be made to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
The new laws removed the environment minister’s ability to reconsider previous decisions under the act if they have been ongoing for at least five years.
It also does not allow decisions to be reviewed if they were approved with conditions involving state-based regulation.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek had previously been reconsidering a 2012 decision to allow salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour.
The review was triggered after pressure from environmental groups, which have attributed aquaculture in the harbour to the declining Maugean skate population.
However, the new legislation will remove the need for Ms Plibersek to make a decision, instead allowing salmon farming to remain in Macquarie Harbour.
A federal government spokesperson said the current legislation was not fit for purpose.
“We won’t stand by and let workers in Strahan lose their livelihoods because of a broken law. “Under existing law, an industry could be shut down overnight when an environmental assessment commences.
“That is not acceptable to the government or to the community. This is a very specific amendment to address a flaw in the EPBC Act.”
Independent Federal Member for Clark Andrew Wilkie said the legislation was “a blatant attempt to win votes in Braddon while the rest of the country is distracted by the federal budget.”
“We’ve seen the government and opposition tripping over themselves to offer the salmon industry a tailor-made exemption from their environmental responsibilities, while at the same time, Tasmania has witnessed the worst ever mass salmon death event,” Mr Wilkie said.
“The public has been kept in the dark about the environmental and health consequences while beaches on Tasmania’s east coast have been blanketed in decomposing, diseased salmon carcasses and rancid fish oil.
“And all the while, the endangered Maugean Skate is being driven to extinction by unsustainable salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour.”
As the bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Ms Plibersek, three Bob Brown Foundation (BBF) members glued themselves to stairwells in the foyer of Parliament House in Canberra.
“We are protesting in Parliament House today to highlight the outrageous Albanese and Dutton coalition to destroy our nature laws for the benefit of toxic salmon corporations,” BBF Campaign Manager Jenny Weber said.
“Our seas are polluted, animals are dying, and our government is ruling for the corporations, not the people.
BBF Marine Campaigner Alistair Allan said “it should outrage every Australian that our Prime Minister is so willing to subvert our democratic rights and sell out the environment.”
Originally published as Controversial salmon farming legislation passes the Senate despite protests
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