Media Releases // Tasmania
August 2023
Funding and transparency needed for Tasmania’s long-overdue State of the Environment report
Leading organisations have warned that Tasmania’s first State of the Environment report in almost 15 years will not be fit for purpose without an immediate funding boost and increased transparency.
Maugean Skate Recovery Team fails to agree to act to protect the skate
The Australia Institute has found that a communique, released late on Friday 4th August by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, is lacking action to prevent the extinction of the endangered Maugean skate.
July 2023
80-plus Groups Worldwide Demand End to Greenwashing Maugean Skate Extinction with Farmed Salmon Accreditations
More than 80 organisations from around the globe are calling for the accreditation schemes, Best Aquaculture Practices and GlobalG.A.P., to immediately revoke their ‘sustainability’ certifications from farmed salmon and trout raised in waters adjacent to the World Heritage Area, Macquarie Harbour, Tasmania. The demand comes as federal and state government workshops are held in Hobart
June 2023
Federal government under legal obligation to protect Maugean skate
The Australia Institute Tasmania has written to federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, urging her to intervene and end salmon farming in Tasmania’s Macquarie Harbour, which is threatening the endangered Maugean skate. The letter asks the Minister to review the decision to greenlight expanded marine farming operations. The decision was made more than a decade ago
Tasmanian government must end overfishing and rebuild fish stocks
The Australia Institute Tasmania is calling on the Tasmanian government to commit to end overfishing and rebuild fish stocks, after ignoring evidence of overfishing for decades. It is among the think tank’s 10 recommendations (see below) to the Tasmanian Scalefish Fishery Rules Review that aims to aid species recovery and modernise management arrangements so the
Big names unite to protect Tasmania’s forests
Federal MPs, an Olympic champion and acclaimed authors are among dozens of high-profile names urging the Tasmanian government to end to native forest logging.
May 2023
Tasmania must end native forest logging after crucial Victorian decision
The Australia Institute is calling on the Tasmanian Government to follow Victoria and end native forest logging from 2024.
Scientists’ urgent call for action to save Maugean skate
The Australia Institute will join a growing number of state and national organisations, independent scientists and Tasmanians, demanding an immediate halt to salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour. The Maugean skate is teetering on the brink of extinction according to scientists from the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), who this week took the extraordinary
Plenty of fish (48%) should be left in the sea: submission
The Australia Institute Tasmania has called for stronger measures to address depleted fish stocks and prevent future overfishing in a detailed submission on the Tasmanian Government’s Draft Harvest Strategy for Wild Fisheries. The recommendation of ensuring fish levels stay at 48% of unfished biomass is in line with CSIRO recommendations that guide Commonwealth fisheries strategies.
April 2023
Reduce Inshore Salmon Farming to Protect Tassie Coast: Research
Public opinion backs science, as Government continues to side with salmon industry
March 2023
State of Environment Report Needs $1.5m for Government to Fulfil Legal Obligations: Lawyers
Today the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) and the Australia Institute Tasmania have written to Tasmanian Treasurer Michael Ferguson requesting the release of at least $1.5 million to enable the Government to fulfil its legal obligation to produce a State of the Environment Report in the 2023-24 Tasmanian Budget.
November 2022
Electoral Act Reform a Crucial Opportunity for Tasmanian Truth in Advertising Laws
As the Tasmanian Parliament debates reforming the Electoral Act, integrity experts are urging politicians to use the opportunity to enact truth in political advertising protections, following deceptive and dangerous advertisements from the Australian Christian Lobby. Key Findings: Polling consistently finds most Australians want truth in political advertising laws, with 2021 Australia Institute polling research finding 87% of
Deceptive Political Ad Demonstrates Need for Truth in Political Advertising Laws in Tasmania
A prominent advertisement published by the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) in The Mercury today highlights the need for Truth in Political Advertising laws in Tasmania. Key Details: On 9 November 2022, The Mercury published an ad from ACL that said “Plan to criminalise parents who question their children’s wish to change gender? Likely lose government!”
September 2022
Win for Tassie Environment as Government Agrees to State of Environment Report
The Australia Institute Tasmania commends the Planning Ministers decision to direct the Tasmanian Planning Commission to produce a State of the Environment (SOE) Report by June 2024. Following research and advocacy from the Australia Institute, the EDO and other groups, the Minister for Planning Michael Ferguson MP has recognised the importance of SOE Reports, that
August 2022
RTI Documents Released: Complete Disregard for Law & Environment by Tas Government & Planning Commission
A complete disregard for the law by the Tasmanian Planning Commission and a lack of oversight by the Tasmanian Government, has been revealed by the release of documents via a Right to Information request by the Australia Institute Tasmania. The latest Federal State of the Environment Report paints a grim picture of why these reports
May 2022
Salmon Inquiry Report: Comprehensive Marine Plan Now
The long-awaited Legislative Council Fin Fish Farming in Tasmania Inquiry report tabled in Parliament today, highlights the many problems faced by the industry. The Australia Institute Tasmania commends the Committee’s call for an overarching Marine Plan for Tasmania through a comprehensive stakeholder consultation, informed by assessment of environmental, social and recreational values, with a transparent
Anti-Protest Law Must be Stopped: Civil Society
Leading Tasmanian and national civil society groups have published an open letter in the Hobart Mercury today opposing the Government’s anti-protest law which they say is an attack on democracy and must be stopped. The proposed law would create new offences for peaceful protest activity, making peaceful protest penalties on-par with trespassing with a firearm,
April 2022
New Police Powers a Threat to Civil Society: Research Submission
The Tasmanian Government’s proposed law for a police crackdown on peaceful protest has been criticised as anti-democratic and a threat to civil society, in a submission by independent think-tank the Australia Institute, Tasmania. Key points in submission: Bill undermines freedom of expression, association and assembly for the Tasmanian public Bill contains unclear, broad and discretionary
Tidal Wave of Alarm for Tassie Oceans Amid Landmark Marine Law Review: Research
An overwhelming majority of Tasmanians (76%) are concerned about the dire state of Tasmania’s coastal waters and oceans amid a landmark law review aimed at protecting the marine environment and economy, according to new research from the Australia Institute Tasmania. The new polling supports the Australia Institute Tasmania’s call for a marine law overhaul, contained
Tassie Deserves More Representatives in Wake of Premier’s Shock Resignation
The Australia Institute Tasmania thanks Premier Peter Gutwein for his dedication and hard work over the last two years as Premier and 20 years as a Member of Parliament, including six of those as Treasurer. “Premier Gutwein worked extremely hard during the COVID pandemic for Tasmanians and delivered a much greater level of support to
March 2022
Tassie Corruption Body a Toothless Tiger: Research
New research has found the Integrity Commission Tasmania is one of the weakest anti-corruption bodies in Australia, with polling revealing nearly one in two Tasmanians distrust the current Commission’s ability to uncover and prevent misconduct in politics and public administration. The report reveals that Tasmania’s anti-corruption body is one of the lowest funded in Australia,
October 2021
Tasmanian Government Must Go Further to Make Elections Fairer
The Tasmanian Government’s proposals to make political donations and election spending more transparent are a step in the right direction, but the new laws do not go far enough. The legislation still leaves Tasmania with the weakest regulation of third-party campaigners, such as industry lobby groups, of any state or territory in Australia. The proposed
July 2021
One in Two Australians Support Moratorium on Expansion of Tasmania’s Salmon Farming Industry
New research from the Australia Institute Tasmania finds that one in two Australians support a moratorium on the expansion of the salmon farming industry in Tasmania, while only 15% oppose.
Tasmanian Distrust Tasmanian Integrity Commission Highlights Need for Reform
Nearly one in two Tasmanians (48.5%) distrust the Tasmanian Integrity Commission’s ability to uncover and prevent misconduct in public administration, including 19.6% who strongly distrust. Meanwhile 33.8% trust its ability, including just 6.6% who strongly trust. 17.7% were unsure.
April 2021
Polling: Majority of Tasmanians Want ‘Good Government’ Reforms
New research from the Australia Institute Tasmania finds most Tasmanians (87%) want Truth in Political Advertising laws, and a ban on political donations by the gambling industry (73.3%). Four in five (80.1%) Tasmanians agree the Tasmanian Integrity Commission should undergo structural change so its design is improved and its existing powers, including holding full inquiries with public hearings, are utilised.
Polling: Majority of Tasmanians Want Pause of Tasmanian Salmon Farm Expansion
New research from the Australia Institute Tasmania finds most Tasmanians (63%) want to suspend the expansion of salmon farms in Tasmania, expressing widespread (63.5%) concern that the health of Tasmania’s coastal waters is declining. More than one in two (56.3%) Tasmanians agree the Tasmanian Government is not doing enough to protect the health of our oceans.
February 2021
Proposed Electoral Reforms Not Good Enough for Good Government
The Gutwein Government has released its report in response to its review into Tasmania’s Electoral Act and associated election laws. “The report and recommendations, while welcome, do not provide enough concrete commitments. The Government has sat on the review for too long to still have such vague plans. Paying lip-service to change does little to
November 2020
Former Supreme Court Judge and Legal Advocate Call for Much-Needed ‘Good Government’ Reforms in Tasmania
The Australia Institute has today published recommendations for much needed political reform in Tasmania. The report, Good Government in Tasmania advocates a co-ordinated approach to reform across Tasmanian Integrity Commission Truth in Political Advertising Election Donations Reform Right to Information The report is being co-launched by retired Victorian Supreme Court judge, The Hon David Harper AM QC,
October 2020
Key to Reforming National Electricity Market: Build On Demand Response
Australia’s electricity sector is being revolutionised by the rise of renewable energy and storage, but new analysis from the Australia Institute’s Climate & Energy Program shows the current energy market framework is holding these technologies back. In 2018 the Federal and State/Territory Governments tasked the Energy Security Board with designing a new National Electricity Market
Tasmania’s lack of integrated coastal management putting our industries and environment at risk
New research shows Tasmania’s management of its spectacular marine environment needs urgent attention to ensure Tasmanians can continue to enjoy economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits into the future. The report, released today by The Australia Institute Tasmania, and the Tasmanian Independent Science Council, shows that an integrated approach to managing Tasmania’s coastal waters is
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