Dr WOODRUFF question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
Tasmanians are deeply distressed by your government’s continued attack on this island’s environment, as you would have seen outside this morning. Diseased fish have been dying in the hundreds of thousands. The putrid results are still washing up on some of southern Tasmania’s most beautiful beaches – Bruny Island, the Tasman Peninsula, and Verona Sands. Popular summer spots are now stinking.
For weeks, the EPA played down the health impact of rotting corpses. Big salmon even compared the gross chunks to health products sold in pharmacies. Today, public health officials are warning locals not to touch the salmon remains. Do you acknowledge this looks set to be the rank reality of summers to come for locals? Will you rein in your salmon cronies to prevent that happening?
Mr Rockliff – I missed the last bit of the question.
Dr WOODRUFF – Rein in the salmon cronies.
Mr Rockliff – No, the bit before that.
The SPEAKER – The Premier did not hear the question that you had at the end. Could you please repeat the question that you had at the end of your long preamble for the House?
Dr WOODRUFF – The preamble that I believe was in order because it was within time.
The SPEAKER – It was.
Dr WOODRUFF – Premier, do you acknowledge this looks set to be the rank reality of summers to come – putrid, rotting fish turning up on beaches?
The SPEAKER – Before I call the Premier, I remind members that the actions that were taken outside the parliament today caused potential damage to a heritage building that is already a little bit on the fragile side. I do not think we should be, in any way, glorifying that. We have always allowed protests at this place, but that kind of action puts in jeopardy our ability to safely allow protests on site. That is a matter that we will be investigating.
Members – Hear, hear.
Dr Woodruff – It was a peaceful protest.
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER – I am happy with protests, but climbing our building and putting people at risk is not okay.
ANSWER
The answer to your question is no.
Dr Woodruff – Are you comfortable with this?
Mr ROCKLIFF – No.
Dr Woodruff – Comfortable with millions of dead fish?
Mr ROCKLIFF – No.
Dr Woodruff – What are you going to do? You have not done anything. Mr Garland was perfectly right. No press releases. Nothing.
The SPEAKER – The Leader of the Greens will cease her interjections. I realise it is her last question and therefore being thrown out does not cause her much grief today, but it will not be tolerated.
Premier, I will draw you to the question without engaging directly the Leader of the Greens.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Honourable Speaker, what has happened is clearly unacceptable. There will be investigations as to the cause and effect of what has happened. The answer to your question, every summer, the answer is no. I expect full openness and transparency from the companies. We have a very strong regulatory system with independent EPA and the companies are on notice.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
Dr WOODRUFF – A supplementary question, Speaker?
The SPEAKER – I will hear the supplementary question.
Dr WOODRUFF – Thank you to the Premier for saying he expects full openness and transparency from the companies. Can you please confirm that all the information about the volumes and the numbers of dead fish will be made public?
The SPEAKER – I call the –
Dr Woodruff – Including the organisms they are infected with.
The SPEAKER – You have resumed your seat. You do not get to add to the question.
Mr ROCKLIFF – First, I expect, as per the EPA legislation, that all reporting will be as per the law and legislation and in an open and transparent way. We get a full understanding of why the situation has occurred.
Dr Woodruff – The community wants to know.
The SPEAKER – Order, Leader of the Greens, I have asked you to cease interjecting.
Dr Woodruff – Sorry.
Mr ROCKLIFF – I know.
The SPEAKER – Premier, you will cease talking directly to the Leader of the Greens and direct your answers through the Chair so that we can move on to the next question. Resume your seat as well, if you wish.
