Labor, Greens battle at parliament Question Time over salmon farming in Tasmania

Greens and Labor are lunging at each other’s throats over controversial amendments to the EPBC Act, which are designed to protect Tasmania’s salmon industry and are expected to pass parliament today.

Greens leader Adam Bandt raised the matter directly with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Question Time, claiming the government was “gutting” environmental laws and driving an iconic species to “extinction”.

The amendments will end Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s formal reconsideration of a 2012 approval for expanded fish farming in Macquarie Harbour.

The Coalition is expected to back the amendments and Mr Bandt said Labor was “following” Mr Dutton.

“What absolute nonsense from the member for Melbourne (Mr Bandt),” Mr Albanese said in reply.

“The leader of a political party that stopped climate action that last time we were in government.”

Mr Albanese said his government had established effective climate change targets and a plan to achieve them.

He then derided the Greens as job-destroying fantasists.

“They have never seen a job they don’t want to destroy,” he said.

He said the Greens had opposed the Marinus link project, which would finnel renewable energy between Tasmania and Victoria, and wind farms in Tasmania.

“Wherever there is a job, they are oppose to it,” he said.

Mr Albanese said Labor would defends job and environmental sustainability.

Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley asked Ms Plibersek whether she would retain the power to stop salmon farming after the next election.

Ms Plibersek said the amendments would apply “ to a very small number of potential decisions”.

The changes only encompass activities that are already underway or recurring, have been ongoing for five years before a reconsideration application is submitted, and are carried on under the supervision of state territory government and their environmental protection agencies.

Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie has slammed the proposed changes.

“Mining companies have to clean up after themselves, but apparently the salmon companies, they get right off the hook,” she said.

“Mining companies have to abide by the environmental laws, but apparently no … free pass over here, the dirty stinking salmon over here, because the Labor Party, Liberal Party, think it will give them a better chance of winning those electoral seats in Bradden and Lyons.”

Ms Plibersek was also pressed on whether she would declare her support or opposition for the North West Shelf resources project in WA.

Mr Dutton has come out in favour of the mammoth project.

Ms Plibersek said she would not comment on the issue and stressed prejudging or commenting on assessments before a decision had been made “leads to court cases”.

“I can say, very clearly, that our broad approach will always be to follow the law and to follow the science,” she said.