TLP: Duniam Cheerleading for JBS Not Tasmania

Media release – The Local Party, 29 April 2022

Tasmanian Senator Jonno Duniam asked to cheer for his community not just multinationals

Lead Senate candidate for The Local Party, Leanne Minshull, and Local Party Franklin candidate Anna Bateman, visited the offices of sitting Tasmanian senator, Jonathan Duniam today to seek the Senator’s support for communities battling the state’s salmon industry.

The Local Party candidates accompanied by members of the public, asked Senator Duniam to sign on to the Dennes Point declaration – a community driven initiative that calls for a moratorium on any new industrial fish farms in Tasmania’s coastal, estuarine and river waterways.

The request comes after an episode of 4Corners this week exposed the Senator’s backing of the JBS takeover of Huon Aquaculture, despite the owners of the company having a long and proven history of bribery and corruption.

“It’s clear Senator Duniam supports Batista brothers and their company JBS holdings, but what is the Senator willing to do for the people he is actually elected to represent? Signing on to the community proposed Dennes Point declaration would be an easy way for the senator to support his constituents.”

“I have spent my life defending communities and the environment from the sort of corruption and devastation that was shown in the 4 Corners program. As a private citizen, I have been harassed, sued, and arrested for my efforts. I would expect that Senator Duniam, with all of his power, could have at least raised questions on who we allow in to operate in our waterways, rather than issue press statements saying how much he supports them.” Said Leanne Minshull, Lead Senate Candidate for the Local Party

“The community was raising the alarm about JBS before the deal went through – the Liberal Party openly supported the take over of Huon and the Labor Party was silent. There is widespread concern and frustration across the State from commercial fishers, recreational fishers, scientists and everyday Tasmanians who love their marine environment.” Added Franklin candidate Anna Bateman.

I’ve been privileged to tell the stories of Tasmanians who are doing all they can to sound the alarm and the lack of recognition and action on the community concerns is one of the reasons I decided to stand for Parliament.

We need a plan for our marine environment that protects our native fisheries, and the health of our waterways. Further to that – the salmon industry and the Government need to ensure that existing jobs are protected, and look at overseas examples of onshore farms that produce a high quality product and employ locals.”

The Local Party will be asking every elected Tasmanian representative to sign on to the Dennes Point Declaration before May 21st.

—-

The Dennes Point declaration asks that:

In support of all Tasmanians, who recognise the coasts and waters of our island as their heart country.

In recognition of the globally significant riches of Tasmania’s marine world and to ensure a Tasmanian agricultural industry that will endure into the future.

We call for:

1) a moratorium on any new industrial fish farms in Tasmania’s coastal, estuary and river waters.

2) an immediate government led transition out of the sea and into land-based farms.

3) an independent, empowered, and resourced regulator guided by independent science and community values.