Rockliff walks away as salmon jobs, industry at flashpoint

• West Coast jobs at risk as Rockliff abandons portfolio
• Salmon industry viability is at stake at time new minister comes in
• Liberal secrecy again on show – it has to stop
Former Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff has abandoned workers on the West Coast and left the salmon industry in disarray, keeping secret plans to reduce biomass limits in Macquarie Harbour until after the election.
It has emerged that salmon companies were told of the reduction to 8000 tonnes in Macquarie Harbour on the Monday after the election despite the decision being made up to a month beforehand.
“Jeremy Rockliff has walked away from jobs on the West Coast,” Shadow Primary Industries Minister Shane Broad said.
“With the short, medium and long term viability of our salmon industries in the balance Jeremy Rockliff has handballed his problems to a brand new minister in Sarah Courtney and effectively washed his hands of any responsibility.
“He’s walked away from a crucial Tasmanian industry at a crucial point in time.
“Labor has proposed a full and transparent review of salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour which would give all companies and the broader community confidence about the future recovery and management of the region.
“In contrast, the Liberals have failed to provide proper governance and transparency which has dented public confidence and is now impacting the future of the industry and its workers.
“The galling secrecy employed by the Liberals to not inform the public or the salmon industry of the decision to reduce biomass limits only further entrenches this government’s reputation for secrecy and deception.
“This is on top of keeping secret 200 of the Liberals 300 election promises made in the leadup to the campaign.
“The secrecy has to stop. Sarah Courtney must explain how she will provide certainty to workers and the salmon industry.”
Shane Broad MP Shadow Primary Industries Minister 23 March 2018