Salmon Inquiry Terms of Reference - collaborative minority government will be shaken to the core

With no advance notice, the Tasmanian Government yesterday introduced the terms of reference for the proposed Salmon Inquiry. Independent Peter George, and the Greens, have rejected the terms as completely unacceptable.

Independent MP for Franklin, Peter George, flatly rejected 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."

The Greens said that the Salmon terms of reference 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."

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