One Nation will act to protect the 5000 jobs in Tasmania’s unique salmon industry against any attempts by Labor, the Greens or Jacqui Lambie to shut it down.

The party’s lead Senate candidate, Lee Hanson, said there were few if any industries in Australia more heavily regulated and scrutinised than salmon farming and that enough was enough.

“Tasmanian salmon farming is subject to regulation under more than a dozen state laws, answerable to the Environment Protection Authority and required to comply with a specific industry biosecurity program,” Ms Hanson said.

“This industry brings more than $1 billion to Tasmania’s economy, supports 5000 local jobs and puts quality Australian-produced food on Aussie tables. There is no compelling reason why its existence should be under threat.

“We don’t deny there have been some problems, like the fish deaths last year, but that’s not a reason to throw the baby out with the bathwater. It’s a reason to work with the industry to help them fix the issues.

“Yet we know Jacqui Lambie and the Greens want it shut down. They don’t care about jobs, exports or the Tasmanian economy. They ignore the facts. Lies are being told about these companies not paying tax in an effort to demonise an industry they want to close.

“One Nation backs this industry to the hilt. I was very happy to accept an invitation from Huon to visit the company’s operations and learn about the extraordinary effort it undertakes to comply with excessive regulation and environmental requirements, and the other businesses and industries they support in Tasmania.

“It’s not just the salmon jobs we’re fighting to protect, but hundreds of other jobs in businesses along the supply chain. Salmon is not the only product this industry produces: for example, waste from these facilities is processed into fertiliser for Tasmania’s signature cherry industry, and it’s free; cherry growers just pay the transport costs.

“The salmon industry supports Tasmania, and that’s why I’m supporting the salmon industry.”

ENDS