The Albanese government approved legislation to allow salmon farming to continue in Tasmania’s Macquarie Harbour last year, despite receiving advice warning of potential significant environmental impacts. The decision came after the environment department recommended revoking a 2012 approval for expansion in the harbor, citing threats to an endangered ray species and a World Heritage area.
Government Overrode Environmental Concerns
Documents released under freedom of information laws show the environment department advised the government in late 2024 to overturn a 2012 decision allowing salmon farm expansion in Macquarie Harbour. The department’s recommendation stemmed from concerns about the impact on the endangered Maugean skate and the Tasmanian wilderness World Heritage area.
Officials suggested then-Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek order a fresh inquiry, potentially scaling back or pausing farming operations. The department found new information indicated salmon farming was reducing dissolved oxygen levels, negatively affecting the Maugean skate’s habitat, behavior, physiology, and population. Reduced oxygen levels were also likely impacting the natural heritage values of the World Heritage area.
Legislation Passed to Limit Reconsideration Requests
The advice followed a 2023 request from three environmental organizations – the Australia Institute, the Bob Brown Foundation, and the Environmental Defenders Office – asking the government to reconsider the 2012 decision. Instead of heeding the department’s recommendation, Labor introduced legislation to limit when third parties could request reconsideration of a decision.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told salmon companies operating in Tasmania the changes would ensure “appropriate environmental laws” to “continue sustainable salmon farming.” The bill was supported by the opposition and passed in March 2025.
Murray Watt, Plibersek’s successor, later rejected the reconsideration request lodged by the three environmental groups.
Criticism from Greens Senator
Tasmanian Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson stated the released documents demonstrate the government’s disregard for the environment. “The shameless self-serving actions of the Albanese government and its blatant disregard of expert scientific advice from within its own environment department is galling,” he said. He accused the government of making a “disgracefully calculated move” to protect the salmon industry.
A government spokesperson said the department’s advice was “from a single point in time under a legislative framework that is no longer in place.” They reiterated the government’s commitment to a sustainable salmon industry that supports workers and protects the environment.
Eloise Carr, a consultant and campaigner against Tasmanian salmon farming, argued the industry has never undergone a full environmental impact assessment under national law, stating, “it’s time that happened.”
Alistair Allan of the Bob Brown Foundation said the documents showed Albanese ignored department advice and scientific evidence. “Prime minister Albanese chose to completely undermine and rewrite Australia’s environmental law rather than enact his duty to protect endangered Australian wildlife,” he said.
The government spokesperson added that commenting further would be inappropriate as the decision is currently subject to a federal court challenge by NWTAS for Clean Oceans, an organization opposing salmon farms.
The Maugean skate, found only in Macquarie Harbour, has been listed as endangered since 2004. Concerns about its declining numbers escalated in 2024 when a government scientific committee reported “extremely low” numbers and recommended scaling back or removing fish farming to save the species. A separate report by the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies suggested the skate population may have recovered to 2014 levels, but remains endangered, stressing the need for continued monitoring.
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