Opposition leader Peter Dutton has called on the Albanese Government to give greater certainty to the states salmon industry, warning livelihoods have been left in limbo.
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00:00 An industry living up to its reputation as a political battleground.
00:08 Liberal leader Peter Dutton has visited Strawn to meet with salmon farmers.
00:12 "We're really pleased to be here to speak to locals and to get a better understanding
00:15 of the practical environment and the issues which are really causing great angst and concern
00:22 to many locals here in Strawn."
00:25 Just last week Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a visit to Tasmania to reassure workers.
00:30 "I just think the Prime Minister was being dishonest with the people of Tasmania.
00:34 I think he came here with a glib line."
00:36 Consultation on whether a review of approvals of salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour should
00:40 occur is underway.
00:42 After environmental groups raised concerns operations could wipe out the endangered Morgian
00:47 skate.
00:48 But those in the sector believe saving the skate shouldn't come at the cost of their
00:51 livelihoods.
00:52 "The impact isn't just only on Macquarie Harbour, it's broad.
00:57 So we have hatcheries all around the state."
00:59 "There's a lot of scrutiny on it, there's a lot of people talking intensely about it
01:03 and it seems to me too often some of the local people who live and work in this industry
01:07 don't often get heard enough."
01:09 A decision on where salmon farming can occur here in Macquarie Harbour is still under consideration
01:13 by the Federal Environment Minister.
01:15 In the meantime, a joint trial by the Commonwealth and Salmon Tasmania is set to begin, aiming
01:20 to increase the levels of dissolved oxygen here in the harbour and save the Morgian skate
01:25 from extinction.
01:26 "The Minister for the Environment needs to go through the due process under the former
01:30 Howard Government's laws that are before us.
01:32 That is what she is required to do by the law.
01:35 We know that Peter Dutton is a rare visitor to this island.
01:38 I'm glad he's finally turned up."
01:40 Minister Plibersek's office said she was unable to comment due to being a legal decision-maker
01:44 in the process.
01:45 Public consultation for the review closes next Friday.
01:48 [BLANK_AUDIO]