URGENT ACTION: The Prime Minister is trying to appease the Tasmanian salmon industry by ramming through changes to Australia’s nature laws this week. The changes would allow the salmon industry to sidestep environmental concerns over water quality, which could pave the way for the extinction of the critically endangered Maugean skate (pictured above).
This is not only about the salmon industry – it sets a dangerous precedent that could be applied to coal, gas, and other destructive and polluting industries seeking to avoid proper environmental assessment.
The legislation could be in Parliament this week, so lets make sure Labor Ministers and MPs hear our concerns in the next 48 hours. Can you help out by making a quick call?
☎️ Who to contact:
- Richard Marles, Deputy PM 02 6277 7800
- Jim Chalmers, Treasurer 02 6277 7340
- Patrick Gorman, Assistant Minister to the PM 02 6277 4995
IDEAS FOR WHAT TO SAY:
- Your name, your suburb/town and the federal electorate (if you know it).
- I’m deeply concerned that the government is considering changing Australia’s environment laws at the last minute just to benefit a single polluting industry in Tasmania, the salmon industry.
- The government has pledged no new extinctions, but allowing this law change would doom the endangered Maugean skate. Intensive salmon farming depletes oxygen levels in the water, a major threat to the survival of the species.
- This species survived the extinction-level event that killed off the dinosaurs but it may not survive these rushed law changes.
- The law changes set a dangerous precedent that could be applied to coal, gas, and other destructive and polluting industries seeking to avoid proper environmental assessment.
Learn more about what’s happening in this ABC article >>