Salmon farmers’ jobs safe at Macquarie Harbour: Prime Minister

Jobs at Macquarie Harbour’s salmon farms are safe, the Prime Minister has pledged. Here’s why Albanese has finally backed the West Coast industry in.

PM pledges support for Tasmania’s salmon farms in Macquarie Harbour. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promised to introduce new legislation to protect the Tasmanian salmon farming industry’s controversial presence in Macquarie Harbour, saying new scientific evidence revealed “positive signs” for the waterway’s endangered Maugean Skate.

In a letter sent to Tasmanian salmon industry leaders on Saturday, Mr Albanese said a fresh report from Tasmania’s Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies revealed the skate population’s was “consistent with the long term average”.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Picture: Chris Kidd

“Given that, I can confirm that the Australian Government will introduce legislation to ensure

appropriate environmental laws are in place to continue sustainable salmon farming in

Macquarie Harbour,” the Prime Minister wrote.

“My commitment to you, your employees, suppliers and the community is that salmon

farming operations on Macquarie Harbour will continue and that no jobs will be lost.”

For the past year, Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has been considering a request from environment groups for a review of whether the industry has the necessary approvals to operate in the area.

But with the Tasmanian salmon industry consistently urging a timely decision from the Minister, the Prime Minister said new laws were required to break the impasse and provide certainty for the state’s workers.

“Even with this new and positive data, it is clear to me the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act – introduced 25 years ago – does not allow for a common sense solution on an acceptable timeline.”

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