ATO data released on 1 November shows the foreign-owned salmon industry paid no tax, again, while selling $0.5 billion worth of fish in 2022-23 and driving an Australian species – the Maugean skate – towards extinction.

Key points:

• The Albanese government said $21 million will go towards improving and scaling up oxygenation in Macquarie Harbour to “help offset the effects of human activities”.
• An additional $7 million will go towards the breeding program for the Maugean skate.

“Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was ‘essential we have a sustainable [aquaculture] industry’ but this simply isn’t possible in Macquarie Harbour,” said Eloise Carr, Director, Australia Institute Tasmania.

“The Albanese Government is choosing to prop up a harmful industry with more than $21 million, rather than requiring this industry to modernise and get out of Macquarie Harbour.

“The salmon industry doesn’t pay tax and employs fewer than 1% of Tasmanians. Our governments should make corporations pay their fair share and be sustainable.

“The salmon industry should go onshore, like other sustainable aquaculture in Australia.

“Minister Plibersek is required to listen to the science in her overdue EPBC Act decision.”