House debates Questions without Notice

Tasmania: Salmon Fishing Industry

Monday, 2 March 2026 House of Representatives

Andrew Wilkie

Andrew Wilkie Clark, Independent

2:49 pm

My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Minister, last year I wrote to you about the ecological and human risks of any emergency approval for florfenicol for salmon. I received no response, and the approval proceeded. Since then, the antibiotic has been detected in wild marine life up to 10 kilometres from the fish pens. So what penalties will be imposed for this dangerous contamination, or will the government let the salmon companies off the hook again, angling for votes in Tasmania?