Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, President, and thank you, Senator Colbeck. I have already acknowledged that there are significant numbers of workers in the salmon industry on the West Coast of Tasmania, as there are across Tasmania as a whole. The interests of those workers and the companies they work for are something in the forefront of the government's mind. The reality is that Minister Plibersek has now received an application from a number of groups to reconsider those environmental approvals. It wouldn't matter whether it were a Labor minister or a Liberal minister or a National Party minister; they are legally obliged to consider that request and that is what Minister Plibersek is considering.

What I was attempting to say is that the government has already provided funding to support the salmon industry and reduce the oxygen levels in Macquarie Harbour.