Tasmanian Labor has made a submission to the Federal Government's review of salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour, reiterating our strong support for the state's salmon industry.
Salmon farming is important to Tasmania and communities like the West Coast. We are confident that the industry and the jobs it creates can coexist with Maugean Skate in Macquarie Harbour.
It is clear there are many factors at play when it comes to the skate population and I remain confident this review will shine a light on this.
The industry has acted quickly and committed $6 million for a major oxygenation project in Macquarie Harbour in a determined effort to protect the Skate - and adheres to strict environmental standards.
Tasmanian Labor backs in calls of Australian Workers' Union assistant national secretary Kade Wakefeld that current oxygenation trials are fast tracked and that Hydro Tasmania is ordered to develop a program to regulate river flows into the harbour.
Our submission calls for the social impacts of the decision on the West Coast community to be considered alongside the science, with time allowed for the effectiveness of the oxygenation project to take place.
Of course, we understand that Minister Plibersek has a legal process to go through, but families are on the line here. We need a timely, correct decision.
Jeremy Rockliff's calls for a decision by the end of March - nearly two months away - is simply more of the indecisiveness we're seeing with his early election threats. Workers on the West Coast need a positive outcome much sooner than that.
And let's not forget, the greatest uncertainty to land at the feet of industry was the Liberals' moratorium.
That anti-industry disaster created a void for activists to rise up and threaten this incredible Tassie industry - and it should never be allowed to happen again.
Only Tasmanian Labor genuinely backs the salmon industry and we look forward to working with the sector and community to ensure it continues to be a pillar of our regional communities and the Tasmanian economy.
Janie Finlay MP
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries and Water
