TRANSCRIPT:
As the Prime Minister basked in the afterglow of his government's budget during the morning TV rounds, he was interrupted by Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson, who called out across the courtyard.
"Why are you pushing a species to the brink of extinction for a few rotten salmon companies? Save the skate Albo. Prioritise nature."
The Senator is angry about a government bill which will remove the environment minister's ability to revoke some past decisions.
Peter Whish-Wilson says the bill could endanger the future of the maugean skate, an ancient fish only found in Tasmania's Macquarie Harbour, thanks to oxygen depletion in the harbour caused by salmon farming.
He's not the only one who is angry.
Actor and environmental advocate Leonardo DiCaprio drew attention to the fish on his Instagram page to over 60 million followers.
And these demonstrators from the Bob Brown Foundation were detained at Parliament House in Canberra after three glued themselves to stairwells in protest of the bill.
Campaigner with advocacy group Neighbours of Fish Farming Jessica Coughlan says Labor's legislation is a mistake in the run-up to the election.
"We live with the impacts of this industry every day. They are right on the doorsteps of our homes, they are polluting our beaches, they are killing our wild fish, they are killing our seals. This industry runs rough shod over the state government of Tasmania and it is now doing the same with our federal parliament. Tasmanians are very angry about this and that will be reflected at the voting booths."
The maugean skate has been dubbed the thylacine of the sea by one researcher from the University of Tasmania's Institute for Marine and Antarctic studies - and it's become a symbol in protests against salmon farming in the state.
But concerns about the government's bill goes beyond the skate species.
Salmon farming has been attracting considerable controversy in Tasmania in recent months.
Unprecedented mass deaths at farms in Tasmania's southeast resulted in 6,300 tonnes of salmon being dumped in February.
Last week, the RSPCA withdrew its certification from salmon farming giant Huon Aquaculture after video showed workers sealing live, twitching fish in a tub.
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says the bill has been rushed through parliament and it could have broader impacts for Australia's environment.
"No-one really knows how far-reaching this law change will be. Preliminary legal advice independently sought says that actually this is so broad it could be used by the coal and gas industry, it could be used by forestry industry, it could be used by other big polluting industries as a way of avoiding environmental protection regulations."
Still, the government remains committed.
Labor says their bill is aimed at preserving the Tasmanian salmon industry in Macquarie Harbour, where approvals have been under review by the environment minister since a 2023 challenge from conservationists.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has told ABC Radio National the current laws are no longer fit for purpose - and this bill will give more certainty to industries who could be forced to cease operations until a full assessment has been completed under current laws.
"We need to make sure that we ensure that industry can function but also that sustainability occurs."
The bill has passed in the House of Representatives with the Opposition's support.
Crossbenchers are unlikely to support it in the Senate, accusing the government of using the reforms to court voters in marginal Tasmanian electorates.
The changes would prevent the minister from changing a decade-old decision, allowing salmon farming to continue in the electorate of Braddon, held by retiring Liberal MP Gavin Pearce on an eight per cent margin.
Independent MP Zoe Daniel says the government is not listening to the Tasmanian community, with polling from the Australia Institute finding that seven out of 10 Tasmanians want to see an end to fish farms in inshore waters.
"I describe myself as a Victorian Tasmanian. I grew up in Tassie from the time I was two to when I was 18 and I know that Tasmanians value their natural environment. The entire economy of the state is underpinned by the pristine nature of the place and to fail to listen to community on this is failing Tasmanians."
Director of the Australia Institute's Tasmanian branch Eloise Carr says there will be a lot of disappointment if the bill passes the Senate, which will likely happen this week.
"I think Tasmanians and Australians more broadly will be really disappointed in our parliament for passing these laws. This is a case of the two major parties ganging up to pass legislation under the cover of the budget without due parliamentary scrutiny and it's likely to seal the fate of the maugean skate."
Bob Brown Foundation campaign manager Jenny Weber, which published the footage of the live salmon, says the group will continue to protest, even if the government's bill passes.
"One of the things we will pivot to post this day in parliament is the election campaign and now we're going to be organising with people across the country on how we can make sure people know their vote is important. And either they vote for candidates who will protect the environment or they vote for candidates who will continue to pander to corporations like this dreadful legislation."
