Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator McAllister. Minister, the federal government's own Threatened Species Scientific Committee recently estimated that there are just 40 to 120 maugean skate left on this planet, provided preliminary advice that the skate be uplifted to 'critically endangered', and stated very clearly that salmon production in the skate's last known home, Macquarie Harbour, in Tasmania, poses a catastrophic risk to the survival of the skate. Minister, does your government accept the findings made by the committee that industrial salmon farming is the single biggest threat to the survival of the maugean skate in its natural habitat?

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thanks very much for the question. Of course, the Australian government are deeply committed to ensuring that the maugean skate does not go extinct under our watch. We know that this is a species at high risk of extinction, as you have alluded to in your question, and that substantially reduced water quality in Macquarie Harbour is the primary contributing factor. The minister is aware of these issues. You will know, I think, because we have talked about it in estimates, that on 12 October the minister held a roundtable discussion in Devonport with industry, with government and with other stakeholders regarding Macquarie Harbour aquaculture, and she wrote to the Tasmanian Premier, Mr Rockliff, on 6 November 2023 and provided really clear information to him about her responsibilities under the EPBC Act with regard to salmon farming in that harbour.

Now, the minister has been asked to reconsider a decision, made back in 2012 under the EPBC Act, about marine farming in Macquarie Harbour, including whether current farming operations require further approvals under national environment law. The department is rigorously assessing a very large volume of information relevant to that decision and, I understand, will soon provide Minister Plibersek with advice.

Macquarie Harbour will need long-term support to recover, and the Australian government is actively working with the Tasmanian government, technical experts and community stakeholders to achieve that, but we also acknowledge that in the short term there are things that we can do. You will be aware that in September last year the minister announced $2.15 million to urgently initiate a captive breeding program ahead of hot summer conditions.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Whish-Wilson, first supplementary question?

Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As you point out, Minister, it has been 221 days since Minister Plibersek was ordered to reconsider that 2012 decision to expand salmon farming, yet evidence at an Administrative Appeals Tribunal hearing last week revealed the minister doesn't yet have a brief on this decision. Minister, why has it taken 221 days, and are you kicking the can down the road till after the next election?

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thanks very much, President.

Sorry, there's some laughing on the other side of the chamber on a reasonably serious question.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Please continue, Minister.

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thanks, President. This is an issue that requires quite serious consideration of substantial volumes of information. It's an issue that is of real concern to industry and of real interest and importance to industry and to many conservationists in the local community as well. The consequence of that, in part, is that over 2½ thousand submissions have been received by the minister. The government is carefully considering the information and the scientific advice that it has obtained to ensure that there is a proper, legally robust decision, and I think you will understand that it will take time to do that properly.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Whish-Wilson, second supplementary?

Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm not sure the skate's got time, Minister. When launching the Threatened Species Action Plan in 2022, Minister Plibersek stated, 'I will not shy away from difficult problems or accept environmental decline and extinction as inevitable.' Minister, if you want to prevent extinctions, at some point you will have to do something that will prevent extinctions. Will you listen to the scientific advice that has been before you for months, stop salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour and give the skate the best possible chance of survival?

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I've already emphasised in my answer to your first supplementary question that the approach the minister is taking is to carefully consider the information and the scientific advice to ensure that there is a proper and legally robust decision at the end of this process. But you are right: there are things that we can do now in advance of that decision, and we are working to ensure the protection of the skate. I spoke earlier of the $5.7 million that is being invested to help protect the skate and improve that health of the harbour. That includes a $2.1 million program to establish this captive breeding program, and we are pleased to report that that program is helping to save the maugean skate. More than 19 baby skates have hatched and over 100 new eggs have been laid in captivity.

Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Will they survive in a polluted harbour when you put them back in?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Whish-Wilson, you've asked your question.

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

More eggs are on track to start hatching, and scientists are planning for the skates born in captivity to be returned to their rehabilitated habitat in the harbour. (Time expired)