Record anti-salmon rally calls for major party sinking
Ethan James |
Anti-salmon farming protesters have gathered in record numbers as the Greens vow to put the issue at the forefront in any post-election minority parliament.
The industry has been under increased spotlight in Tasmania amid mass fish deaths and federal law changes to thwart conservationists’ challenge to aquaculture approvals.
More than 6000 people rallied in Hobart on Sunday – heeding a cry to vote against the salmon industry-supporting Labor and Liberal parties.
The protest was several times bigger than community action in mid-March at a remote beach in the state’s south.
That site was one of several where salmon matter washed up over summer during the death of millions of farmed fish from a bacteria outbreak.
“We know thousands of people have had a gutful with the toxic salmon corporations,” Greens senator Nick McKim said.
“People are going to send a message to the old political parties.”
His comments come as polls point towards a Labor victory at the May 3 election, although it is unclear from the surveys whether the party will have the numbers for a majority.
“(The Greens have) worked with independents in the last parliament and we’re very happy to work with like-minded independents in this parliament,” Senator McKim said.
“We know we need to build a coalition for nature.
“We stand ready to put this issue front and centre if we have the balance of power.”
Former Greens leader Bob Brown said the protest was the largest anti-salmon rally of the election campaign and on a par with his foundation’s national day for action to protect forests.
“As with the (campaign to protect the) Franklin River, we will end this threat to our waterways,” he said.
Labor and the Liberals support the salmon industry and in March combined to pass legislation to protect its future in Tasmania’s remote Macquarie Harbour.
The laws effectively put an end to an environment department review of aquaculture in the harbour, which was sparked by conservationists aiming to protect an endangered fish.
Dr Brown’s foundation has challenged the law change in the Federal Court, but no dates for the matter have been set.
Booker prize-winning author Richard Flanagan told the crowd to vote for an anti-salmon candidate and encourage their friends to vote for an anti-salmon candidate.
But people should “think carefully” about whether they should vote for candidates wanting to shut down industries, Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff said.
“We’ll always back our salmon industry, our forest industry, our farmers, our miners … because they’re so important for regional communities,” he said.
Despite the sector’s issues, sales of Tasmanian salmon at Coles and Woolworths outlets nationwide increased by seven per cent in the first few months of 2025 compared to the same period a year earlier, according to an industry body.
Independent candidate Peter George, who is running on a platform of getting the industry out of waterways, conceded he faced an uphill battle in Franklin.
The Tasmanian seat, where the mass deaths occurred, is held by Labor’s Julie Collins on a 13 per cent margin.
The Greens’ Franklin candidate Owen Fitzgerald pulled out of the race on April 16 after becoming aware he was a dual citizen.
AAP
