Federal Labor have taken another alarming step towards closing down Tasmania's salmon industry, opening the door to imported salmon.
Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz, said in the first major decision made by Tasmania's very own Minister Julie Collins, Federal Labor have backed imported Chilean product over Tasmania's world-class, sustainably sourced salmon.
"It's a smack in the face to the hundreds of hardworking Tasmanians to have Federal Labor prioritise importing product from South America, rather than providing much needed certainty to Tasmania's own salmon industry," Minister Abetz said.
"It's unbelievable that the first major decision Tasmanian Minister Collins has made in her latest portfolio is to put out the welcome mat for Chilean imported salmon.
"All an importer needs is an importation permit after Minister Collins' left-field biosecurity clearance.
"Thankfully Tasmania has well established biosecurity controls in place that prohibit the importation of high-risk salmon products into our State. There's no way the products that have been approved by Minister Collins for importation into Australia will make their way onto Tasmanian shelves."
"Federal Labor has delivered nothing but uncertainty and instability for the over 5,000 Tasmanians directly and indirectly employed in this hugely successful industry.
"Federal Labor's clear intent to support importation rather than protection of our industry is anti-Tasmanian.
"This follows their craven grab for inner-city Sydney votes ahead of the next Federal election.
"It appears Minister Plibersek will delay her decision until after the federal election, choosing politics over people's livelihoods."
