00:00The Federal Government approved the expansion of salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour on
00:06Tasmania's west coast in 2012, but since then there's been declines in water quality
00:11and also in the numbers of the endangered Morgean skate.
00:15This prompted environmental groups to challenge that 2012 decision and that reconsideration
00:20process has been ongoing since 2023.
00:23That has created some uncertainty for the aquaculture industry and also for communities
00:27that somewhat rely on jobs in that industry.
00:30Earlier this year, as one of its last acts before the Federal Election, the Labor Government
00:36changed the laws to effectively stop this kind of challenge from environmental groups.
00:40And Environment Minister Murray Watt has now used this new law change to officially end
00:45the challenge.
00:47It means salmon farming can continue in Macquarie Harbour, subject to state-based regulations.
00:53Every decision we make when it comes to environmental approvals is in compliance with the law.
01:00It's no secret that the government amended the legislation prior to the last election to
01:06outline a path to deal with reconsiderations and we've now applied the law.
01:11We've been speaking with our lawyers, seeking legal advice, but we will be challenging this
01:15decision.
01:16The decision came one week before the Federal Court was due to hear a legal challenge to
01:30the law change from the Bob Brown Foundation.
01:33The way in which the salmon industry interacts with Macquarie Harbour and the Morgean Skate remains
01:38subject to ongoing research and monitoring.
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