The Federal Environment Minister is presiding over a wildlife wipeout in Australia by failing to protect endangered species from extinction, including failing to meet her own deadline to protect the Maugean Skate by stalling a decision until after the election.
The ancient species of skate is sliding towards extinction due to the toxic Atlantic salmon farming industry, with less than 120 adult Maugean skate remaining in the wild.
Greens Senator for Tasmania Nick McKim:
“Labor has today chosen multinational corporate profits over the survival of one of the world’s most unique creatures.”
“The science shows Macquarie Harbour is unsuitable for industrial salmon farming. The way to give the Maugean Skate the best chance of survival is for the Minister to evict toxic salmon farms out of Macquarie Harbour.”
“She has the power, and has all the science she needs to make that decision today.”
“This is a cowardly political decision by the Minister which prioritises corporate profits over the survival of an ancient species.”
“Delaying a decision until after the next election risks handing the future of the Maugean Skate into the hands of a Dutton government minister. We all know how that would end.”
“If the Maugean Skate slides into extinction Tanya Plibersek will have blood on her hands.”
“Let’s be clear: if Peter Dutton becomes Prime Minister, this ancient species has no chance. A Dutton Minister won’t rein in the salmon industry one bit – it’s a death warrant for the skate.”
“Successive governments and the salmon industry have misled Tasmania’s regional communities for years, overstating the viability of salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour.
“It’s well past time to transition workers into sustainable industries that don’t come at the cost of our environment and endangered species.”
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is spokesperson for the Environment & Senator for South Australia:
“This delay is a coward’s decision – putting politics ahead of nature.
“Tasmania’s salmon industry is toxic and is wiping out the precious Maugean Skate while the Albanese Government panders to polluters in an election year.
“By kicking the can down the road past the election, the Environment Minister is putting politics and pollution before environmental protection. The Minister has failed to meet the deadline and is failing to halt extinctions here in Tasmania and across Australia.
“Tomorrow, almost 50 other threatened species and ecological communities are due for a conservation assessment decision from the Environment Minister. This is the state of the environment in Australia: more extinctions, habitat destruction and wildlife wipeouts.
“I urge the Albanese Government to work with the Greens to pass stronger environment laws to protect endangered species, stop native forest logging and safeguard the climate for our kids.”