Media release – NW Tas for Clean Oceans (NWTAS): 9 December 2022
SALMON PLAN ROADSHOW
CALL FOR INQUIRY: A FORENSIC FINANCIAL AUDIT OF THE TASMANIAN SALMON INDUSTRY
While the government’s bureaucrats are travelling the state to explain the government’s superficial Salmon Plan, NWTAS for Clean Oceans is planning to call for an inquiry – A FORENSIC FINANCIAL AUDIT OF THE TASMANIAN SALMON INDUSTRY.
Patrick O’Boyle, NWTAS Spokesperson, said today “We need to finally make this government accountable for years of financial mismanagement, self-interest and exploitation of our marine environment, with absolutely no net benefit to Tasmanians”.
“Nowhere is there a full disclosure of what this government has spent each and every year to support and shore up the salmon industry”.
“What we absolutely know is that the government spends millions supporting, subsidising, building (and maintaining) major infrastructure in order to lure and keep the salmon industry in Tasmania. The Tasmanian community will be appalled when they see the total outlay.”
“For example, Tasmanian taxpayers will fork out $240 million to upgrade the Bryn Estyn Water Plant in the upper reaches of the Derwent River because of pollution in Hobart’s drinking water, mainly caused by the salmon industry’s Atlantic salmon hatcheries. This upgrade will not be paid for by the salmon industry. It will be paid for by us, the Tasmanian people.”
“In Making Mountains out of Minnows, the Australia Institute, 2019, Leanne Minshull established that the government’s income from all industry lease and license fees is less than $1 million pa, compared to the $1 billion pa turnover for the three multi-national fish farmers. Where is their contribution to meet these costs? Where are Tasmania’s royalties? Where is the governments business case?
“And what does Tasmania receive in return? 2000 jobs (government’s own figure in their Salmon Plan) which represents around 1.5% of the Tasmanian workforce plus some small subsidies and grants paid by the industry to clubs in exchange for loyalty and promotion.” The salmon industry buys social license.
“The Legislative Council’s recent Report on Fin-fish Farming in Tasmania shows clearly that the $2 billion salmon industry’s turnover target is only an “aspirational” target by the government. Their plans to expand the salmon industry are completed based on this “aspirational” target. What a farce! Nothing but a lie. And we may lose our pristine NW and north coasts and decimate our tourist industry, to feed someone’s pipe dream or to create a “legacy”, for no justifiable reason,” said Patrick.
“We strongly encourage our northwest coast community to register to attend the government’s Draft Salmon Plan sessions to hear for themselves what plans the government has in mind for our pristine coastal waters. Please use the opportunity to ask questions.”
The Devonport/Wynyard sessions will be on Monday 12th December and will be in the Aberdeen Room, at the Paranaple Convention Centre, 137 Rooke Street, Devonport. Doors will open at 11.45 am. The Wynyard session will be at the Railway Institute Hall, 2 Station St, 4.00 – 5.30 pm.
If you don’t register to attend you may be refused entry.
