Albanese subsidises multinational polluters – likely to benefit salmon more than protect Maugean skate

In a flagrant act of pork barreling, Prime Minister Albanese is subsidising the polluting multinational salmon industry in Macquarie Harbour instead of acting to prevent the extinction of the threatened Maugean skate and helping Tasmania's West Coast communities transition to sustainable jobs.

"The Prime Minister's announcement of a $21 million handout to the salmon industry is in flagrant disregard for the science that shows the Maugean skate's plight is directly linked to the industry's polluting practices," says Lisa Litjens, VP of NOFF. "This is money that should be put into helping the West Coast community transition to sustainable jobs, to supporting the people of the region rather than into the pockets of cashed-up multinationals. It's a cynical effort to buy votes in a vulnerable electorate with a Federal election looming before the middle of next year.

"The industry's moguls will be delighted that they have conned the government into supporting a fossil fuel heavy oxygenation experiment more likely to improve the health of caged salmon than protect the Maugean skate.

"Mr Albanese is also funnelling a further $7 million into raising Maugean skate in captivity ignoring the fact that Macquarie Harbour is the animal's only habitat and is becoming increasingly unfit for its survival."

• More information: Lisa Litjens, VP, NOFF: 0400 461 624 or Peter George: 0426 150 369 president@noff.au