Media release – Tasmanian Alliance for Marine Protection, 7 July 2021
Premier Gutwein must reassure Tasmanians government will standup to rogue multinational
Tasmanian Premier, Peter Gutwein, must speak out now and reassure Tasmanians after plans to sell salmon producer, Huon Aquaculture to a Brazilian multinational with a reputation for corruption were revealed at night on Friday.
Nothing short of a clear and comprehensive statement of reassurance and comfort to Tasmanians will suffice.
The multinational JBS has a shocking track record of corrupt practices, tax evasion and accusations of circumventing environmental regulations in the Amazon rainforest.
The silence from government in the face of damage the salmon industry has already caused to public waterways and coastlines has been deafening.
To remain silent in the face of a sell-out to a coërcive multinational with a shocking reputation would be nothing short of damning.
In Tasmania, JBS already has a reputation for taking subsidies in the meat industry from government with one hand – while closing meat works and sacking workers with the other.
Its track record overseas is even more shocking, including a $US280 million dollar fine for bribery in the United States, tax evasion charges and circumventing environmental laws in the Amazon rainforests to ‘greenwash’ cattle grown in illegal clearings.
Mr Gutwein needs to reassure Tasmanians that regulations, enforcement and penalties will all be reviewed and tightened immediately while the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) will be given all the resources to police what is already a rogue industry.
He must immediately distance himself from the industry or be condemned by association with a corrupt and rapacious multinational.
Huon Aquaculture’s major shareholders, Peter and Frances Bender, should also explain why they’re so eager to sell out to a company which such a terrible track record other than to walk away with a $200 million dollar retirement fund.
The Benders have always claimed they put Tasmania and its workers ahead of all else yet now they’re abandoning them to a rapacious multinational that cares not a jot for the state, for its workers or for its environment.
The fact that news of the sale plans was released late on a Friday evening and employees notified even later is clear evidence that this event is an embarrassing one for Huon Aquaculture.
Tasmanian communities have already shown a willingness to stand up to the salmon industry and not to be bullied by industry tactics. This sale will only lead to increased militancy from ordinary people determined not to allow yet more damage to be inflicted on our waterways and coastlines.
Until the industry gets out of the water and on to land – as is happening with increasing speed everywhere but in Australia – TAMP and its many affiliates will continue to call out the industry, government and regulators.
