Why a senator brandished a dead salmon in the Senate | 7.30

Key Concepts

• McQuary Harbor salmon farming expansion
• Endangered Maugean skate
• Federal environmental law review
• Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act) amendment
• Labor's environmental policy and political implications
• Balancing industry support with environmental concerns
• Reconsideration of environmental approvals

McQuary Harbor Salmon Farming and the Maugean Skate

• Background: In 2012, the Labor government, under then-Environment Minister Tony Burke, approved the expansion of salmon farming in McQuary Harbor, Tasmania, without requiring a full federal environmental assessment, relying on state-based oversight.
• Industry Impact: The salmon farming industry employs 120 people full-time in the harbor.
• Endangered Species: The Maugean skate, a unique species primarily found in McQuary Harbor, has faced a significant population decline.
• Monitoring and Research: Jason Semmens and David Marino have been monitoring the skate for over a decade, leading a captive breeding program.
• Population Decline: Research in 2023 revealed that the skate population had almost halved over seven years, with a lack of new individuals entering the population.
• Recent Recovery: A recent report indicated an upward trend, with skate populations returning to levels not seen for a decade. The goal is to achieve long-term population resilience.

Federal Environmental Law Review and the EPBC Act Amendment

• Ministerial Reconsideration: Environment groups requested Minister Tanya Plibersek to reconsider the 2012 decision, leading to a formal reconsideration process.
• Government Intervention: The government introduced a bill to protect salmon farming in the harbor, effectively halting Minister Plibersek's review.
• Scope of the Amendment: The amendment to the EPBC Act prevents ministers from reviewing decisions on projects that didn't require full federal environmental assessment initially, provided they have state or territory oversight and have been underway for at least five years.
• Limited Circumstances: The government claims the amendment applies in "very limited circumstances to reconsiderations."
• Criticism: Critics argue the legislation's scope is broader than Tasmanian salmon farming and could prevent reconsideration for various projects, including fossil fuel projects.

Political Implications and Labor's Environmental Credentials

• Marginal Seats: McQuary Harbor is located in the electorate of Braden, a seat Labor aims to win. The neighboring seat of Lyons is also ultra-marginal.
• Prime Minister's Promise: Prime Minister Albanese promised the salmon industry that fish farming would continue in McQuary Harbor, emphasizing a balance between jobs and sustainability.
• Financial Commitment: Labor has committed almost $40 million to oxygenation of the harbor and the skate captive breeding program.
• Environmental Concerns: Recent issues, such as salmon fat globules washing up on beaches, claims of diseased fish in supermarkets, and a bacteria outbreak, have heightened concerns about the industry.
• Political Fallout: The legislation has caused unhappiness within the Labor caucus and accusations of backtracking on environmental laws.
• Environmental Group Opposition: Environmental groups are strongly opposed to the legislation, with some shifting their focus from campaigning against the opposition's nuclear policy to campaigning against Labor's salmon policy.
• Impact on Minister Plibersek: The issue is affecting Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek in her own seat, despite her being overruled on the matter.
• Rationale Questioned: The Prime Minister's rationale for pursuing the legislation so strongly is being questioned.
• Potential Seat Loss: While the legislation aims to help Labor win Braden, there's a risk of losing the seat of Lyons due to the salmon issue.

Key Arguments and Perspectives

• Government's Argument: The government argues the amendment is necessary to provide certainty to industries and protect jobs while also investing in environmental protection measures.
• Opposition's Argument: Opponents argue the legislation weakens environmental protections, sets a dangerous precedent, and could have broader implications beyond the salmon industry.
• Environmental Groups' Argument: Environmental groups argue the legislation is a significant step backward on environmental protection and undermines the government's promise to strengthen environmental laws.
• Laura Tingle's Analysis: Laura Tingle notes the confusion surrounding Labor's approach, as the legislation could allow industry to seek reviews of environmental decisions. She also highlights the potential for wider implications beyond the salmon industry.

Notable Quotes

• "Have you sold out your environment credentials for rotten stinking extinction salmon?" - Senator Hanson-Young, criticizing the government's decision.
• "The science tells us about the Mian skate i want jobs but I also want sustainability that's what we're delivering here" - Prime Minister Albanese, emphasizing the balance between jobs and sustainability.

Technical Terms and Concepts

• EPBC Act: Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, Australia's primary piece of environmental legislation.
• Reconsideration Process: A formal review of an environmental decision, often triggered by new information or concerns.
• Oxygenation: The process of increasing the oxygen levels in the water, aimed at improving the health of the aquatic ecosystem.
• Captive Breeding Program: A program to breed endangered species in a controlled environment to increase their population.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The situation surrounding salmon farming in McQuary Harbor highlights the complex interplay between economic interests, environmental protection, and political considerations. The government's decision to amend the EPBC Act to protect the salmon industry has sparked significant controversy, raising concerns about the weakening of environmental protections and the potential for broader implications beyond the specific case of McQuary Harbor. The issue has become a political liability for the Labor party, particularly in Tasmania, and has drawn strong criticism from environmental groups. The long-term consequences of this decision for both the environment and the political landscape remain to be seen.