Australian MP reveals to parliament that he has been approached by insiders alleging significant malpractices within the salmon farming industry.
Australian Independent MP Andrew Wilkie has slammed Tasmania’s salmon industry during a speech to the country’s federal parliament.
The statement comes in the wake of a tussle between the Tasmanian and Federal governments over the future of salmon farming in the state after the Federal minster for the environment, Tanya Plibersek, initiated a review of the industry.
In a statement to the Federal Parliament last week, Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, took the opportunity to raise concerns about the environmental impact of salmon farming in Tasmania.
“Salmon farming is obviously an important industry in Tasmania, but it’s not so important that it should be allowed to ride roughshod over local communities and the environment generally, or continue to drive the Maugean skate to extinction in Macquarie Harbour in particular,” said Wilkie.
Wilkie referred to a report from the Federal Department of Environment, which identified low dissolved oxygen levels, primarily caused by ongoing salmon farming, as the major threat to the Maugean skate.
For too long the Tasmanian salmon industry has made staggering profits while ignoring the environment, the latest example being helping drive the Maugean skate to extinction in Macquarie Harbour. It’s way beyond time governments did something about it. #politas #auspol pic.twitter.com/mlhYZTYjet
— Andrew Wilkie MP (@WilkieMP) December 7, 2023
The report described the impact of current salmon farming practices on this species as “catastrophic.”
“In other words, it’s the salmon farms,” said Wilkie. “No wonder many people welcomed the Federal Environment Minister’s recent decision to openly consult on whether existing federal approvals are sufficient or need updating.”
Further intensifying the issue, Wilkie revealed that he has been approached by insiders alleging significant malpractices within the salmon farming industry.
“And no wonder I’m being contacted by industry whistleblowers with allegations of extensive and careless plastic pollution, possible collusion with regulatory agencies, drastic underreporting of fish deaths and escapes, and even fuel spills. Rest assured I’ll have more to say about this at another time.”
For salmon producers the MP’s remarks signal a worrying potential shift towards more stringent governmental oversight and regulation of the industry.
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Who is Andrew Wilkie?
Andrew Wilkie is an Australian politician who has been an independent member of the Australian House of Representatives since 2010. He represents the Division of Clark, which covers the central part of Hobart and surrounding areas in Tasmania.
Before entering politics, Wilkie had a diverse career. He was an officer in the Australian Army, and later worked as an intelligence analyst for the Office of National Assessments. He gained significant public attention in 2003 when he resigned from his position in protest against Australia’s involvement in the Iraq War, citing the lack of evidence of weapons of mass destruction.
As a politician, Wilkie is known for his independent stance and advocacy on various issues, including government transparency, human rights, gambling reform, and environmental conservation. He has been a vocal critic of certain government policies and has often used his position in Parliament to advocate for more ethical and transparent governance. His criticism of the Tasmanian salmon farming industry, as highlighted in his parliamentary speech, is consistent with his track record of raising environmental and ethical concerns in his legislative role.
