Dr WOODRUFF question to the MINISTER for the ENVIRONMENT, Ms OGILVIE
Tasmania’s marine ecosystem is in the midst of collapse. Recently, we have seen unprecedented blooms of jellyfish, salp and algae in south-east waters, a formerly exotic bacteria that killed millions of farmed salmon, dead sardines washed up in Sandy Bay, and the oyster industry wiped out at Pipe Clay Lagoon.
Right now, a toxic algal bloom is poisoning shellfish from at least Maria Island to the west of Bruny Island. Commercial shellfishing has been closed down due to the serious health threat of paralytic shellfish poisoning. Recreational fishers should also be warned, but we found no warnings other than a Health department Facebook post two weeks ago; nothing from you as Minister for the Environment.
In South Australia, a toxic algal bloom has wiped out millions of marine creatures. We have no idea if this algae is the same species, but whatever is happening in our waters is deadly. The community is desperate for the government to protect them. Will you recognise the gravity of this catastrophe and tell us what actions you will take to hold the crisis?
The SPEAKER – The member’s time for asking the question has expired.
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I thank the member for the question. That was a very, very long question which had many elements in it. I remind the member that it crosses a number of portfolios, so I will endeavour to give you the answers you have sought today, from my perspective in particular.
You seem to want to conflate the salmon mortality issue with an algae bloom issue. They are actually two quite different elements –
Dr Woodruff – They actually are not. They are linked. That is the point.
Ms OGILVIE – They actually are. In this Chamber, we have been through quite a large event with salmon mortalities. I make a callout to everybody who works in the salmon industry to say well done on your management of that. It was a very difficult time. I know a lot of the workforce personally. They are great football players and I know them from down the Huon in my footy days. That management has been well constructed, well done, and well managed. It was obviously an area of great community concern. The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has managed this –
Dr WOODRUFF – Point of order, Speaker, Standing Order 45, relevance. We are talking about the marine collapse and whether the minister will recognise the gravity, and what action she will take.
The SPEAKER – The member does not get to make an argument. The question was about the actions the minister would be taking and what advice you will provide. I draw the minister to the question.
Ms OGILVIE – Absolutely. The EPA, which I have spoken about many times in this Chamber, has its independent organisational remit to manage these things. That is who we look to manage these things.
I note the language you have used in relation to what you refer to as ‘marine collapse’. I have not read that before. That seems to be something that you have just constructed, perhaps.
Dr Woodruff – That is what is happening in South Australia, and we have this toxic algal bloom.
The SPEAKER – Leader of the Greens.
Ms OGILVIE – It is just seeking to inflate concern for political reasons in relation to what we do here and how we manage our environment.
I also note that I believe this is only maybe the second question the Greens have asked me on the environment as Environment minister, I have been quite concerned about where you have been during all of these questions. I am quite concerned about that and –
Dr Woodruff – We have asked quite a lot of questions about the environment. It is kind of pointless asking you because you never answer them.
The SPEAKER – The Leader of the Greens will cease her interjections and the member will come to the question.
Ms OGILVIE – Caring and working for the environment, and doing things that really matter, particularly about climate change –
Dr Woodruff – Talking about football when we are talking about the marine collapse.
The SPEAKER – Leader of the Greens.
Ms OGILVIE -We have done a lot of work on that. What we are doing is engaging people in the industry and the different sectors in this dialogue we need to have as a state that cares deeply about our environment, and we take that role really seriously –
Dr Woodruff – Why have you not told recreational fishers about the risk to their health?
Ms OGILVIE – We take a prime voice at the environment ministers’ table and we are leading those conversations –
The SPEAKER – The Leader of the Greens will cease her interjections, and the minister’s time for answering the question has expired.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
Dr WOODRUFF – A supplementary question, Speaker?
The SPEAKER – I will hear the supplementary question.
Dr WOODRUFF – The minister talked about the EPA managing the situation. The EPA gave out a warning saying that the dead sardines were due to pilchard orthomyxovirus (POMV) then the Chief Veterinary Officer came out and said it was much more likely to be a toxic algal bloom. What is the problem with the EPA and why are they not being transparent with Tasmanians, providing all the information about what is going on in our marine environment?
The SPEAKER – I will draw the minister to the question about the EPA’s engagement and role.
Ms OGILVIE – Fantastically displayed your lack of knowledge about who manages which part of the environmental issues.
Dr Woodruff – Why are we getting different information from three different departments?
The SPEAKER – Leader of the Greens.
Ms OGILVIE – Dead sardines in relation – it is very difficult if you ask a question and I am endeavouring to answer it. Perhaps you would like to listen. I thought you cared about the environment.
Dr Woodruff – Why do you not answer the question?
The SPEAKER – I am going to draw the minister the question and remind members to cease their interjections.
Ms OGILVIE – I am happy to have the dialogue.
The SPEAKER – I am not happy for a dialogue, I want the answer and then people to resume their seats.
Ms OGILVIE – The issue of the sardines actually sits with another minister. That is obviously something that you kind of managed to not notice during –
Dr Woodruff – You manage the EPA.
The SPEAKER – Leader of the Greens, please.
Ms OGILVIE – No, I do not manage the EPA, the EPA is an independent organisation and as I have said before –
Dr Woodruff – Honourable Speaker, would you draw the minister to talk through you so that she does not incite interjections?
Ms OGILVIE – I would never seek to direct the EPA. They do their work, they do it independently, rigorously, and according to the science. In relation to the sardine incident, that sits with another minister –
Dr Woodruff – No it does not, it is Environment.
The SPEAKER – Leader of the Greens.
Ms OGILVIE – you have mentioned the Chief Veterinary officer. You do know that. You are aware of that because you said it in your question. You are trying to conflate these things. When we are talking about the environment and talking about our marine environment, it is very important –
The SPEAKER – The minister’s time for answering the question has expired. Before I give the call to anyone, I advise ministers that it is much easier if they direct their answers through the chair so as to limit the level of responses that we are getting from members across the Chamber.
