Controversial bill to protect Tasmanian salmon industry passes despite environmental concerns

A bill protecting salmon farms in Tasmania’s Macquarie Harbour from environmental challenges has passed despite concerns from environmentalists and legal experts. Photograph: crbellette/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Controversial legislation to protect the Tasmanian salmon industry has passed parliament after the government guillotined debate to bring on a vote in the Senate on Wednesday night.

Government and Coalition senators voted in favour of the bill, which was designed to bring an end to a formal reconsideration by the environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, into whether an expansion of fish farming in Macquarie Harbour in 2012 was properly approved.