Booth Caught Out, Again

Here we go again! Another day, another baseless attack by the Greens.

Unlike the anti-everything Greens, the Hodgman Liberal Government backs our innovative industries, like our world class seafood producers.

Greens leader Kim Booth should get his facts straight regarding the concerns of a Dover mussel farmer:

• I have previously written to Mr Warwick Hastwell about his concerns;

• Last week, the Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council and Oysters Tasmania requested that I meet with them and Mr Hastwell regarding his concerns. I agreed to have that meeting, and TSIC and Oysters Tasmania were communicating that to Mr Hastwell;

• Mr Hastwell’s concerns have previously been heard and assessed by my Department, with a senior veterinary officer visiting his farm in early February, followed by a representative from IMAS;

• A senior staff member has had a direct discussion with Mr Hastwell regarding his concerns; and

• The Minister for Resources Paul Harriss has also met with Warwick Hastwell last month.

The Government takes very seriously our obligation to balance a sustainable salmon industry with other seafood industries while ensuring we protect our marine environment.

Yet the Greens are set on doing nothing but scaremongering about our half a billion dollar salmon industry, as demonstrated by their Senate show trial against thousands of Tasmanian jobs.
Jeremy Rockliff, Minister for Primary Industries and Water