The federal government last night rammed changes to Australia's environment law - aimed at protecting salmon farming operations in Tasmania - through the Senate.
The legislation aims to scupper a long-awaited review of salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour, on Tassie's west coast, by Environment Minister - and Member for Sydney - Tanya Plibersek.
While the legislation was promised and driven by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, this poll suggests voters may punish Ms Plibersek, revealing her first-preference support has fallen to 41.1%, down from 50.82% at the 2022 election.
The Australia Institute commissioned the polling from uComms, which surveyed 860 Australians living in Sydney between 17 and 18 March 2025.
Key Findings:
- 61% support stopping salmon farming in areas where it is putting the endangered Maugean skate at risk of extinction; more than twice as many who oppose (24%).
- 63% have heard about the mass fish deaths currently happening in the salmon industry in Tasmania.
- 68% think the current mass fish deaths are having a negative impact on Tasmania's 'clean and green' brand, including 36% who think it's having a significant negative impact.
"Voters in Sydney and all around Australia understand and have watched in horror at what's happening in Tasmania," said Eloise Carr, Director of The Australia Institute Tasmania.
"That includes voters in the Environment Minister's own seat.
"This poll was conducted before the amendments to the environment laws were rushed through.
"If voters were angry then, they're even angrier now.
"If this shambolic, chaotic process was designed to shore up votes in Tasmania, it could blow up in the government's face on the mainland. "
The Australia Institute is a member of the Australian Polling Council. The polling methodology, long disclosure statement and margin of error for polling questions are included in the appendix of the report.
