Labors Internal War Over Salmon Industry Survival

Tasmanian Government

Labor’s civil war has sensationally escalated today with Dean Winter opening fire on his Federal Labor counterparts as they consider shutting down salmon farming.

It is abundantly clear to anyone who wishes to see that Labor is all at sea on salmon jobs.

The party’s factional war is now on full display as Labor Right members go public in attacking Left faction stalwart Minister for the Environment Tanya Plibersek in all but name as she toys with a Green-led charge to destroy salmon jobs.

Meanwhile, fellow Left members, Prime Minister Albanese and the freshly appointed Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins, stand mutely by as the Labor Party tosses up Green leaning inner city votes and regional jobs.

Mr Winter’s latest desperate media foray should come as no surprise following the abject failure of his lobbying efforts in Canberra.

It was similarly telling that he should reference scientific advice welcomed by the Liberal Government back in May as an explanation why salmon farming in Macquarie Harbor should continue.

What has he been doing during this time?

Tasmanians need not be reminded that it was only the intervention of the Labor Party’s National Executive that led to Mr Winter ever becoming a Labor candidate, after he was comprehensively rejected by the Left-dominated State Party.

It’s been a long journey for the so-called ‘party for workers’ as it now tears itself apart while workers’ jobs are on the chopping block.

In contrast, the Tasmanian Liberal Government’s position is absolutely clear: we unequivocally back salmon jobs around Tasmania.

As we have repeatedly said, requests to reconsider the existing environmental approvals for salmon farming in Macquarie Harbor have no sound basis and no change to the original decision is required.

Through our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania Future, we will stand up for our sustainable aquaculture industries as well as the unique natural environments in which they operate – not sacrificing either for the sake of the other.

/Public Release. View in full here.