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‘Unacceptable’ and a ‘Sham’ – Salmon Inquiry Terms
Independent MP Peter George flatly rejected the government’s proposed Terms of Reference (TOR) for a salmon industry study, calling it a “total failure” drafted with industry lobbyists that would produce no formal recommendations—a “deal breaker” that threatens collaborative minority government stability. Greens Leader Rosalie Woodruff echoed the rejection, calling the TOR unacceptable and designed to shield the industry from accountability.
The Bob Brown Foundation slammed the terms as a “slap with a wet fish,” calling for the immediate removal of fish farms from Tasmanian waters. Conversely, Minister Gavin Pearce defended the TOR for the “independent, evidence-based study” as a balanced approach to assess regulatory effectiveness, environmental protection, and economic opportunity, comparing Tasmania’s framework to international leaders over a two-phase process in 2026.
Media release – Peter George MHA, independent for Franklin, 27 October 2025
Independent MP Peter George rejects salmon inquiry Terms of Reference
Independent MP for Franklin, Peter George, flatly rejects the government’s proposed terms of reference for an inquiry into the multinational salmon industry in Tasmania.
“This is a total failure by the government in mounting a proper inquiry into the industry and its impact on communities and our island’s marine heritage.
“The crossbench has engaged with the government in good faith, but the government hasn’t listened to what the community has demanded.
“Instead, it’s proposed terms of reference have clearly been drafted in collaboration with the industry lobbyist, Salmon Tasmania, and designed to promote the interests of the industry’s multinational owners.
“The government’s proposal for an inquiry that will produce no formal recommendations is a total deal breaker.
“That would be a total waste of time, resources and money.
“Unless the government revisits the terms of reference, the entire process is dead in the water, goodwill shown to the Rockliff government will be fatally exhausted and efforts towards collaborative minority government will be shaken to the core.”
Terms of Reference released for independent salmon industry study
Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Gavin Pearce, said the independent study will examine whether Tasmania’s regulatory arrangements are effective in achieving sustainable development, while protecting the state’s marine and freshwater environments.
“Tasmania’s salmon industry is an important part of our economy and regional communities, and this independent, evidence-based study will assess whether current regulations are fit for purpose and reflect community expectations,” Pearce said.
“This Liberal Government is delivering for Tasmania by working together to move our state forward.
“Tasmanians expect a balance between economic opportunity and environmental protection, and that’s exactly what this process aims to deliver.”
This independent off-island study will consider the environmental, social, economic and scientific aspects of the salmon industry, including climate change risks, ecosystem health, regional employment and the industry’s contribution to research and innovation.
It will benchmark Tasmania’s regulatory framework, examine monitoring, compliance, penalties, biosecurity, animal welfare and environmental performance standards.
Future opportunities and challenges will also be explored, including the potential of alternative production models such as land-based or offshore systems, as well as options to grow value-added processing and regional economic benefits.
Pearce said the study will include international comparisons with leading aquaculture nations such as Norway, Scotland, Canada, Chile and New Zealand.
“This is about ensuring Tasmania remains a world leader in responsible aquaculture,” Pearce said.
“By focusing on transparency, science and best practice, we can protect our environment, strengthen public confidence and provide investment certainty for the future.”
The study will be delivered in two phases through 2026, with all findings and data publicly released.
Media release – Rosalie Woodruff MHA, Greens Leader, 27 October 2025
Salmon TOR Are Unacceptable
The Greens are extremely disappointed by the Terms of Reference for the Rockliff Government’s ‘study’ of the salmon industry.
On all the most important issues raised by the Greens and other crossbench members about the concerning changes in the marine environment, we have been ignored.
The government is proposing a ‘study’ that would not make any recommendations. It looks designed to shield the industry, shut out the community and allow ongoing damage to the marine environment – all while the government shirks any responsibility for fixing the problems their unwavering support of this industry has caused.
This is hardly putting the industry “on notice” like the Premier promised.
These Terms of Reference are unacceptable. On behalf of the coastal communities we represent, and all Tasmanians who want to see this island’s waterways and beaches protected, we will be following up with the Minister and Premier.
Media release – Bob Brown Foundation, 27 October 2025
Salmon study terms of reference a “slap with a wet fish” to Tasmania’s marine environment.
The Tasmanian Liberal government’s release of the terms of reference for the salmon study review is predictably atrocious and lacking any concern for the marine environment.
The study was announced during the height of cross-bench negotiations and was always destined not to be worth the paper it was written on.
Bob Brown Foundation is calling for the entire process to be abandoned and for fish farms to be removed from Tasmania’s waters.
“This study and its corporate-shill terms of reference show just how much disdain Premier Rockliff and the Liberals have for Tasmania’s marine ecosystems,” said Alistair Allan, Antarctic and Marine campaigner at Bob Brown Foundation.
“The factory fish farms have both Liberal and Labor wrapped around their little finger.
“The terms of reference might as well have been written by the salmon companies themselves. This is an industry that is destroying marine environments all around the world, but the best the Liberals can come up with is to compare Tasmania’s fish farms to the same industry that is wreaking such havoc in countries like Chile and Norway.”
“This salmon study is nothing but a smokescreen to try and wipe the memories of the public and provide political cover for this summer. It won’t work. This summer, I predict even more fish will die. Last summer was an absolute catastrophe and the heatwaves right now in the Northern Hemisphere can’t be ignored.
Tasmanians and the Australian public have seen the horrors of this industry. Premier Rockliff needs to abandon this sham process and remove fish farms form Tasmania’s waters now,” said Allan.
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