Anthony Albanese is planning to fast-track contentious legislation next week to protect Tasmania’s salmon industry from a potential legal challenge concerning the industry’s impact on the endangered Maugean skate species. The future of the salmon industry, particularly on the state’s west coast, has become a contentious political issue centered around its coexistence with the Maugean skate, which is uniquely found in Macquarie Harbour’s brackish estuarine waters.
Following lobbying efforts by industry leaders and Tasmanian MPs, Albanese recently assured the state’s three salmon companies that the government would amend the law to ensure there are “appropriate environmental laws” to “continue sustainable salmon farming” in the harbor. Initially, this was expected to be a commitment for the next term of parliament. However, due to the election campaign delay caused by Tropical Cyclone Alfred, the prime minister plans to introduce a bill on Tuesday. This move could potentially terminate a long-running legal review, initiated by Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, into the proper approval of the industry’s expansion in the harbor in 2012.
The proposed bill, an amendment to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, is scheduled to be introduced in the lower house on Tuesday, March 25, when Parliament will mainly focus on Treasurer Jim Chalmers delivering the federal budget. The following day, it is expected to be debated in the Senate. Given opposition from the Greens and several crossbench senators, the bill will require the support of the Coalition to pass. Peter Dutton has previously assured the industry of his support and promised to legislate if elected prime minister.
Critics, including environmental organizations, have accused the government of undermining Plibersek’s reconsideration of whether the salmon industry’s expansion should have been allowed without a full federal environmental assessment. This reconsideration process was initiated in 2023 in response to a legal request by three conservation groups.
The government claims the proposed legislation is broader than solely benefiting the salmon industry and aims to limit the powers of conservation groups to challenge past decisions. However, environmental bodies have expressed grave concerns about the move, arguing that it undermines the essential legal process intended to protect the Maugean skate from potential extinction.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/19/albanese-to-rush-through-new-laws-to-protect-tasmanias-salmon-industry-from-legal-threat
