Alannah Mactiernan (Perth, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I thank our committee chair for such a strong overview of the work of the committee. The really exciting thing that we discovered is that there has been a step change in aquaculture that is revolutionising this industry, including the development of the effect of recirculating systems with a nutrient cycle that is effectively closed. One of the big challenges with aquaculture has been the impact on surrounding environments of effluent discharge from the intense presence of a fish population. I want to commend, in particular, James Cook University on the extraordinary work that they are doing with private sector partners on this and developing land based recirculating aquaculture systems which filter water from fish tanks for re-use within the tank, significantly reducing the amount of space and water required for intensive seafood production. These systems do not interact with the natural environment. They also have the added value of creating a nutrient-rich waste stream which can be used in other applications. Currently, we see it being used for fertiliser production and for hydroponics. Suddenly, the nature of this industry can change quite rapidly. We should be embracing that.

I want to add my voice to the issue of labelling of food products. We have very high standards of production here in Australia and we need to ensure that Australian producers are given the benefit of those. I believe that we should be adopting across Australia similar food labelling provisions to those that we see in the Northern Territory. It is fair for the consumers and it is fair for our producers. We have higher standards and the consumer is entitled to know what is an Australian product. I urge us to move very quickly on that.

I would go further. As the report recommends, we should do likewise with pearls and crocodile teeth. I think it is important that people who shop in Broome or Darwin are able to distinguish what is an Australian made pearl. One of the committee's recommendations is that we have a report on that within 12 months.

I would also express my extreme concern about the lack of urgency that has surrounded the response to the oyster oedema disease syndrome which has devastated pearling stocks in Western Australia and, to some extent, in the Northern Territory. There is a need for us to fund research into that. Unfortunately, the industry bodies are dominated by players who have interest in overseas pearling, so for them it is not such a priority. But I do urge us to understand that this is not only about the pearling industry but also about the whole tourism industry, particularly in Western Australia and more particularly in Broome. If we get to a point where the pearl industry in Broome becomes unviable, that will very much undermine the tourism industry in Broome and the Kimberley generally, and that will have a significant impact on those communities. I am very concerned. I am very pleased that the committee has got behind a recommendation that we set up a proper pearling taskforce and deal with this issue. I very much support the recommendations that we have here. I particularly want to recognise the great characters that we have in that industry and the great science that is being done around the area of aquaculture.

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