Dr WOODRUFF question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
[10.48 a.m.]
Last week we heard a shocking 3.3 tonnes of florfenicol had been used in just three of the nine salmon leases dosed with florfenicol this summer. The industry swore the antibiotic was the gold standard, but what we have learned instead is it persists in the waterways and flesh of abalone and other wild fish for months, which has shut down some of our abalone fisheries indefinitely. Community concern has never been greater, but despite antibiotics use having been suspended more than two months ago, the industry still hasn’t fessed up to the total quantity of antibiotics that they’ve dumped into our public waterways.
How is it acceptable even now, Premier, that Tasmanians don’t know how much for florfenicol has been used? Earlier you tried to fob this issue off to the EPA, but you’re the Premier of Tasmania. Take some responsibility.
Premier, do you think it’s acceptable that even NRE and the EPA don’t know how much antibiotic has been dumped?
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I thank the honourable member for the question. Imagine the fuss if I intervened on independent regulators, such as the EPA, with respect to the salmon. Let’s get some consistency here, please, of what you’re asking for. We have the APVMA, which is an independent Commonwealth regulator. We have the EPA, which is an independent state regulator. I agree with you, we need to be upfront and transparent about the florfenicol use. That information’s being compiled and will be released as soon as possible.
Supplementary Question
Dr WOODRUFF – I didn’t ask the Premier to intervene in the job of the regulators. I asked the Premier whether you thought it was acceptable that our state NRE and EPA do not know the total amount of florfenicol that was used over this summer? While the industry knows, and the federal regulator knows, Tasmanians don’t know. Do you think that’s acceptable?
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I thank the honourable member for her question. Firstly, can I say that the salmon industry is a very valuable industry for Tasmania and regional Tasmania –
Dr Woodruff – They’re clearly running the government.
The SPEAKER – Order. Dr Woodruff, you’ve asked a question. I ask that the Premier be heard.
Mr ROCKLIFF – We support continuous improvement in the salmon industry and indeed all agricultural and primary industry sectors, all. They are always improving and should do so.
Thirdly, we have independent bodies and information is being compiled and we need –
Dr WOODRUFF – Point of order, Speaker, Standing Order 45, relevance to the question. Does the Premier think it’s acceptable?
The SPEAKER – Honourable Premier.
Mr ROCKLIFF – What is, I believe, the community expectation is that there is openness and transparency about the florfenicol use in this circumstance which will be presented.
Dr Woodruff – Well, do something about it.
The SPEAKER – Dr Woodruff, this is your first warning.
