Dr WOODRUFF question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
Thank you, honourable Speaker. Premier, a brave whistleblower has shared shocking photos of repulsive conditions at a Skretting fish feed facility. They show mouldy feed being processed back into pellets that are fed to fish –
Ms Finlay – It doesn’t show it being processed.
The SPEAKER – Order. Deputy Leader of the Opposition, this is your first warning.
Dr WOODRUFF – and pigeon faeces contamination in the intake for raw products; potential serious health risks to both salmon and to humans. Other employees also shared that this is normal practice. Premier, this whistleblower went public because he tried to put an official complaint to Biosecurity but reported –
Ms Finlay – You’re so unfair to good Tasmanian people.
The SPEAKER – Honourable Leader of the Greens, we will stop the clock. Deputy Leader of the Opposition, this is your second warning. The only one who should be speaking right now is the Leader of the Greens. You can make your thoughts heard on adjournment or through other processes in this House, but the honourable Leader of the Greens has the call and I ask that she be heard in silence.
Dr WOODRUFF – Premier, this whistleblower went public because he tried to put an official complaint to biosecurity, but reported:
I didn’t have confidence they would go to the facility. Companies as large as this one have enough financial backing to sweep these sorts of practices under a rug completely.
Your regulatory system doesn’t regulate to protect humans, let alone the environment. Tasmanians are tired of their waterways being contaminated with toxins so that industrial mega corporations can make profits. What catastrophe has to happen next for you to pull this disgusting industry into line?
The SPEAKER – I am giving the honourable leader a couple of extra seconds because she was so rudely interrupted throughout her question.
ANSWER
I thank the honourable member for the question. I reject a number of assertions within the question. Firstly, as a government, we value the salmon industry in Tasmania. It is Tasmania’s largest primary industry sector, employing many thousands of Tasmanians both directly and indirectly. I also point to the enormous amount of reforms that this government has undertaken over the course of the last decade in terms of independent monitoring, ensuring the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is independent when it comes to monitoring these matters concerning the community. Penalties have been increased and there have been a range of reforms, as outlined on a number of occasions in this House, both by myself and ministers for Primary Industries.
We are a government that does value the social and economic benefits of the aquaculture industry in Tasmania. We’re also very much on record of not only improving the regulatory regime but also ensuring that there is continuous improvement with the industry. That is why a study is being undertaken, with recommendations to result from that study, and no doubt further continuous improvement will happen. That is good and appropriate because you want to ensure that community expectations are positive when it comes to the salmon industry and that it maintains a strong social licence, no matter the number of people that seek to demonise the industry. It’s about balance and it’s about ensuring continuous improvement. I am aware of the allegations that have been made in relation to an aquaculture feed company. I am advised that Biosecurity Tasmania has been made aware of the allegations and is investigating the matter. As this is an active investigation, it is not appropriate to provide any further comment.
Supplementary Question
Dr WOODRUFF – The supplementary question goes back to the original question, which stated that the whistleblower didn’t have confidence that Biosecurity Tasmania’s response was proportionate to the potential risk for humans and salmon. Are your regulations too weak to properly protect not only the marine environment but also human health from the impacts of antibiotics and now potentially mycotoxins?
Mr ROCKLIFF – The robustness of the regulations for the salmon industry are light years ahead of when Labor and the Greens were in power between 2010 and 2014 –
Dr Woodruff – And the industry is about 20 times as big.
The SPEAKER – Honourable Leader of the Greens.
Mr ROCKLIFF – and continuous improvement is the order of the day. I’ve answered your question with respect to an investigation. It’s not appropriate for me to comment any further, but Biosecurity Tasmania is actively investigating the allegations.
