Latest news with #Tasmanians'
Perth Now
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Labor needs to 'earn trust' after election hammering
Tasmania's Labor opposition needs to earn back trust after an election drubbing and differentiate itself from the Liberals, according to the party's new leader. Former teacher Josh Willie held his first press conference on Thursday, a day after toppling Dean Winter, who only spent 16 months in the role. Mr Willie, from Labor's left faction, reaffirmed his party's support for a new AFL stadium in Hobart and traditional industries including salmon farming. Labor, which has been in opposition for 11 years, received 26 per cent of the primary vote at the July election - its lowest figure in more than a century. The party's bid on Tuesday to take power via a no-confidence motion fell spectacularly flat, with all of the 11-member cross bench deciding to effectively prop up an ongoing Liberal minority government. The early election was sparked after a successful Labor-led no-confidence motion in Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff in June. "I think we need to learn the lessons, and that's Tasmanians don't want politicians in their lives," Mr Willie told reporters. "We need to earn the trust back of Tasmanians and to do that we need to listen first." Mr Willie said Labor needed to differentiate itself from the Liberals, but didn't elaborate on how that would be done. The party needed to continue to focus on "jobs and opportunity" with renewed emphasis on health, cost of living, housing and education, he said. Mr Winter, from Labor's right faction, copped a hiding from the Greens and several independents on Tuesday for his lack of compromise during hung parliament talks. The Liberals made several policy concessions to appease the cross bench, including pledging to ban greyhound racing and undertake a review into the salmon farming industry. Mr Willie repeated Mr Winter's line that the Liberals had "walked away" from their commitments and turned Tasmanians' lives upside down. He said he had the "support of the Labor movement" despite reports claiming the majority of the parliamentary Labor Party wanted Mr Winter to continue. Mr Willie was announced as being elected unopposed after Labor decided not to trigger a ballot of members to decide the leadership. He suggested there wouldn't be any no-confidence motions in the minority Liberals in the short term, saying there were no shortcuts to government. Labor has 10 seats in the 35-seat lower house, with the Liberals holding 14.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
‘Shameful' move in Aussie salmon industry
A decision to stop marine expansion of Tasmania's salmon industry has been slammed as 'shameful'. The Tasmanian government on Sunday announced it will conduct an independent study of the industry. The study is expected to ascertain whether environmental standards and legislation need to be strengthened or changed as well as international methods of fish-farming. Disease and antibiotic use are also expected to be on the agenda as the state battles the bacteria Piscirickettsia salmonis, with more than 3 million salmon dying from the disease last summer, according to the Bob Brown Foundation. The marine expansion of the industry will be paused while the study is carried out. Marine expansion of Tasmania's salmon industry will be paused for an independent review. NewsWire / Supplied Credit: NewsWire Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the government was 'on the side of Tasmanians' and expected to see practical reforms and regulations to protect the environment and the industry. 'To support the salmon industry to meet its social license in line with contemporary environmental expectations, we will deliver an independent study of the industry,' Mr Rockliff said. 'I said clearly, after the mass mortality event of last summer, the industry is on notice. 'I do not resile from that. We must always seek to strike a balance between sustainable primary industries and our unique natural environments in which they operate.' An independent off-island specialist will be brought in to conduct the study. Tasmania's salmon industry has struggled amid an outbreak of the bacteria Piscirickettsia salmonis. NewsWire/Scott Gelston Credit: News Corp Australia Salmon Tasmania chief executive officer John Whittington accused state premier Jeremy Rockliff of 'strangling growth' and breaking commitments to appease the Greens and Independents. 'The Premier has gone back on his word and commitments and shamefully let down every salmon worker, their families, and communities across the state,' Mr Whittington said in a statement on Sunday. 'The Premier has let down the salmon aquaculture industry; strangling growth, guaranteeing a whole host of new red tape, and significantly undermining confidence and investment.' Mr Whittington said Tasmanian industries, workers, and their families deserved better than being treated like a 'political plaything that is traded away for power'. 'This decision abandons regional Tasmania and sends a dangerous message to any business considering investing in our state,' he said. The review will be carried out by an independent, off-island specialist. NewsWire / Supplied Credit: NewsWire However Mr Rockliff stood by his decision on Sunday morning, telling reporters the industry should 'embrace' the move. 'This is not something that the industry should fear, it's actually something that the industry should embrace, and embrace the fact that we are wanting to support the industry become better,' he said. 'Better when it comes to the environment … to supporting Tasmania and all the regional Tasmanians and all the jobs that they employ.' The decision comes just days after Minister for Primary Industries and Water Gavin Pearce on Friday stated an antibiotic, Florfenicol, was being considered by the industry and experts among other options to combat Piscirickettsia salmonis. However, Mr Pearce noted it hasn't been used in large amounts in Australia. 'A range of options are being considered by industry and experts to deal with Piscirickettsia salmonis, including vaccine development, adjusting production strategies and improving fish health surveillance,' Mr Pearce said. 'Industry has also advised of an alternative antibiotic, Florfenicol, that it wants to use … Our independent EPA and chief veterinary officer will play an important role in providing advice to government and to industry on its use.'
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Expansion of Tasmania's salmon industry paused for major review
A decision to stop marine expansion of Tasmania's salmon industry has been slammed as 'shameful'. The Tasmanian government on Sunday announced it will conduct an independent study of the industry. The study is expected to ascertain whether environmental standards and legislation need to be strengthened or changed as well as international methods of fish-farming. Disease and antibiotic use are also expected to be on the agenda as the state battles the bacteria Piscirickettsia salmonis, with more than 3 million salmon dying from the disease last summer, according to the Bob Brown Foundation. The marine expansion of the industry will be paused while the study is carried out. Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the government was 'on the side of Tasmanians' and expected to see practical reforms and regulations to protect the environment and the industry. 'To support the salmon industry to meet its social license in line with contemporary environmental expectations, we will deliver an independent study of the industry,' Mr Rockliff said. 'I said clearly, after the mass mortality event of last summer, the industry is on notice. 'I do not resile from that. We must always seek to strike a balance between sustainable primary industries and our unique natural environments in which they operate.' An independent off-island specialist will be brought in to conduct the study. Salmon Tasmania chief executive officer John Whittington accused state premier Jeremy Rockliff of 'strangling growth' and breaking commitments to appease the Greens and Independents. 'The Premier has gone back on his word and commitments and shamefully let down every salmon worker, their families, and communities across the state,' Mr Whittington said in a statement on Sunday. 'The Premier has let down the salmon aquaculture industry; strangling growth, guaranteeing a whole host of new red tape, and significantly undermining confidence and investment.' Mr Whittington said Tasmanian industries, workers, and their families deserved better than being treated like a 'political plaything that is traded away for power'. 'This decision abandons regional Tasmania and sends a dangerous message to any business considering investing in our state,' he said. However Mr Rockliff stood by his decision on Sunday morning, telling reporters the industry should 'embrace' the move. 'This is not something that the industry should fear, it's actually something that the industry should embrace, and embrace the fact that we are wanting to support the industry become better,' he said. 'Better when it comes to the environment … to supporting Tasmania and all the regional Tasmanians and all the jobs that they employ.' The decision comes just days after Minister for Primary Industries and Water Gavin Pearce on Friday stated an antibiotic, Florfenicol, was being considered by the industry and experts among other options to combat Piscirickettsia salmonis. However, Mr Pearce noted it hasn't been used in large amounts in Australia. 'A range of options are being considered by industry and experts to deal with Piscirickettsia salmonis, including vaccine development, adjusting production strategies and improving fish health surveillance,' Mr Pearce said. 'Industry has also advised of an alternative antibiotic, Florfenicol, that it wants to use … Our independent EPA and chief veterinary officer will play an important role in providing advice to government and to industry on its use.'
Sky News AU
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Labor fulfilled ‘bread and butter' policies which lead to Tasmania victory
Reign-Maker Advisory Principal and Founder Scott Davies has said Labor pulled together 'quality candidates' who 'resonate with Tasmanians' which ultimately led to their victory. 'Tasmanians want political parties that genuinely concentrate on those issues which are bread and butter political issues,' Mr Davies told Sky News Australia. 'They totally did that this time. 'For the first time in a long time, Tasmania had a set of really really quality candidates that were reflective of exactly what their electorates want, need, and resonate with Labor Party voters. 'Labor really, really put together a package of both issues and personalities which worked incredibly well.'
