Independent member for Franklin Peter George has formally raised concerns from Tasmania’s fisheries and aquaculture industry with Ministers Gavin Pearce and Madeleine Ogilvie.
Despite George putting legitimate questions directly to the government regarding confirmed antibiotic residues in D’Entrecasteaux Channel shellfish, the integrity of salmon industry data, and the prolonged failure of essential testing equipment, his office has yet to receive a meaningful response to these and other urgent matters.
Media release – Peter George MHA, independent for Franklin, 12 December 2025
Peter George Puts Industry Concerns Directly to Ministers. Still No Meaningful Response
Independent Member for Franklin, Peter George, has today confirmed that he has formally raised questions with Minister Gavin Pearce and Minister Madeleine Ogilvie regarding issues and concerns brought to him by individuals and organisations within Tasmania’s fisheries and aquaculture industry.
George said his office had engaged in multiple lines of enquiry with both ministers’ offices and relevant departments in response to direct approaches from people involved in the industry.
“People working in or affected by the aquaculture sector have come to me in good faith — not as lobbyists or activists, but as Tasmanians with legitimate questions about the future of the industry and its regulation,” George said.
“These are fair questions. I have put them directly to the ministers. But to date, neither the Department nor the Ministers’ offices have provided sufficient answers.”
George reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing clarity and accountability on these matters in Parliament and urged the media to follow these lines of enquiry.
The issues raised by George should be easily addressed by the regulators who can reassure the fisheries industry if their concerns are misplaced.
“When concerns are raised by the very people closest to an issue, the least we can do is give them the courtesy of a clear response.”
Letter to Pearce below, followed by the email from Minister Ogilvie’s office.
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