Minister
for Primary Industries and Water Guy Barnett has turned his back on Tasmania’s
seafood industry.
Shadow
Minister for Primary Industries and Water Janie Finlay said by refusing to
re-sign the Seafood Pledge, Minister Barnett has turned his back on thousands
of Tasmanians wanting to access skills and training in the seafood industry.
“Minister
Barnett answered very serious questions about the seafood industry on the floor
of the Parliament today by saying he wore a T shirt spruiking Eat More
Seafood,” Ms Finlay said.
“This
industry needs more than slogans – it needs action and support.
“Since
2015 the Seafood Pledge has supported Tasmanians to obtain 7,000 vocational
qualifications, maritime licenses and endorsements of maritime licences.
“Yet
despite repeated requests from the Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council and
Tasmania’s three largest salmon producers, Minister Barnett has refused to
re-sign the Seafood Pledge.
“Today
in Parliament Minister Barnett failed to explain why the government had chosen
not to re-sign the pledge. He further failed to outline the implications that
not signing this pledge would have on the industry.
“Minister
for Skills and Training Sarah Courtney also failed to provide any assurance to
the industry.
“The Seafood Pledge is crucial to the seafood industry and it is incredibly disappointing that the government has turned its back on it and on the thousands of Tasmanians wanting to work in this great industry.”
Janie Finlay MP
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries and Water
