Dr WOODRUFF question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
The independent review into Tasmania’s Right to Information (RTI) framework found a culture of secrecy and obfuscation by your government, especially when it comes to providing the community with information on controversial matters.
The salmon industry hides behind commercial‑in-confidence exemptions to keep Tasmanians in the dark about basic information. They operate in public waterways. Impacts on these waterways, such as the total production of fish or biomass density, should not be withheld.
The regulations administered by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) also don’t allow the number of salmon mortalities or antibiotics being used to be disclosed for months afterwards. The communities want to know their waterways are safe to swim in and salmon are safe to eat, but relevant information is still kept behind lock and key.
Premier, before another summer of disaster unfold, will you put the salmon industry on notice as you promised? Will you ensure active and real‑time disclosure of disease outbreaks, salmon mortality rates and antibiotic use?
The SPEAKER – The honourable member’s time for asking the question has expired.
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I thank the honourable member for her question. The first part of her question was about RTI, accountability and the like. Before I get to the nub of the question, I will point to a number of measures we have taken as a government. There is the release of ministerial diaries on a quarterly basis. There is real‑time reporting of key performance indicators in our major hospitals. We started that data a number of years ago. I believe we now also have bed block data available. This is a federal government matter. Nonetheless, it affects Tasmanians and its important. There is new government information gateway web page. There has been a significant expansion of routine disclosures, gifts and hospitality under our government. It’s been a whole‑of-government public reporting of gifts, benefits and hospitality received, and –
Dr WOODRUFF – Point of order, Speaker, Standing order 45, relevance. I referred to RTIs at the start of the question but it was fundamentally about transparency and disclosure of information about the salmon industry.
The SPEAKER – It was a very broad question, Dr Woodruff, but I do ask the Premier to consider the other elements of the question.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Thank you and I will. The context of my answer is important in terms of the Ministerial Code of Conduct, which is updated after every election to improve accountability in the performance of duties of all ministers. There is releasing RTI materials to all Tasmanians, notwithstanding yesterday’s report, for which we thank Professor Tim McCormack and Associate Professor Rick Snell. There is routine disclosure of ministerial and parliamentary expenses; the RTI annual report; Electoral Act reforms; publication of submissions; delegation of all ministerial RTIs to agencies; reform of pecuniary interest disclosures for all members of parliament; support for the Ombudsman; support for the Integrity Commission; regular disclosures of child sex allegations across the public service; and GBE transparency and oversight.
We have done a lot over the last decade and it is continuous improvement. Which brings me to the salmon question, where we have always wanted a continuous improvement in terms of openness, transparency, penalties for marine debris, monitoring and the like. The Tasmanian Salmon Industry Plan’s latest iteration demonstrates that.
When it comes to the EPA, the government has strengthened the Environment Protection Authority’s role as an independent environmental regulator to ensure comprehensive environmental monitoring and regulation of our salmon industry. There needs to be continuous improvement, which is why we have committed to the study in the industry and the pause on spatial expansion.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
Dr WOODRUFF – A supplementary question, Speaker?
The SPEAKER – I will hear the supplementary question.
Dr WOODRUFF – I asked the Premier whether he would ensure the active disclosure in real time of disease outbreaks, salmon mortality rates and antibiotic use?
The SPEAKER – That does go to the original question.
Mr ROCKLIFF – I will have to familiarise myself with the current process and cross‑reference what happens now with your question so that I can give you a clear answer. I am happy to provide that answer to you at a later stage.
I said the industry was on notice earlier this year as a result of the mass mortality event, and that continues. That’s not because I don’t support the industry. I do, particularly when it comes to the jobs it provides and the economic benefits to rural and regional Tasmania. However, in order for that to continue, there must be continuous improvement in the industry, which includes areas that the study will cover. I understand the terms of reference for consultation will be released soon.
