Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announces $28m to improve environment in Macquarie Harbour

Despite delaying a decision on the expansion of a salmon farm on the West Coast, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promised to spend big to improve conditions in Macquarie Harbour.

Maugean Skate in Macquarie Harbour TAS (Credit Jane Ruckert). Picture: Jane Ruckert

The federal government will spend $28m to improve environmental conditions in Macquarie Harbour and ensure the sustainability of the salmon industry there, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says.

Mr Albanese is visiting Devonport on Tuesday to make the announcement.

He said $21 million of the new funding would be committed to improving and scaling up oxygenation in the harbour to better protect the endangered Maugean skate.

“The Albanese Labor Government wants to see a sustainable salmon industry that supports workers and their families right into the future,” he said.

“We are also committed to protecting the environment.”

For the last 12 months, Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has been considering a request to reconsider a 2012 federal government decision, which allowed an expansion of salmon farming in the West Coast waterway on the understanding it would not adversely impact the skate.

She has postponed her decision until October 2025.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Mr Albanese said the funding announced on Tuesday would offset the effects of human activities, while other aspects of the program focus on sediment remediation and research on the effects of historical mining.

“The Tasmanian salmon industry is the backbone of many regional communities and it’s essential we support the thousands of jobs it creates right across the state,” the Prime Minister said.

“To do that it’s essential we have a sustainable industry, which supports workers and the environment.

“That’s exactly what this will help to do, making sure we have a sustainable salmon industry and deliver stability for workers and their families into the future.”

West Coast Mayor Shane Pitt said it was great news.

“I especially welcome the Prime Minister’s change of language, which now explicitly backs in the industry and salmon jobs in our local community”, he said.

“However, this is all worth nothing without an immediate end to the EPBC review process.

“It makes no sense whatsoever to provide funding for three years for science-based projects in Macquarie Harbour while the uncertainty of the EPBC review, which could end the industry tomorrow, remains.

“I call on the Prime Minister to call time on the EPBC review process, today.”

Salmon industry day at Huonville – Eric Abetz. Picture: Caroline Tan

But Minister for Business, Industry and Resources Eric Abetz was not reassured.

“While the Tasmanian Government welcomes the Commonwealth’s investment in improving the health of Macquarie Harbour, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s cash splash has failed to provide the much-needed certainty for hundreds of families whose livelihoods rely on Tasmania’s world-class salmon industry.

“It appears that Labor is more interested in backing Greens-led sensitivities than real jobs.

“The Tasmanian Government has always believed salmon farming can coexist with the Maugean skate in Macquarie Harbour.”

Coles shareholders will today consider a motion calling on the supermarket giant to stop sourcing salmon from Macquarie Harbour at the company’s annual general meeting in Melbourne.

Woolworths shareholders rejected a similar motion last month.