QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator AYRES (New South Wales—Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science) (14:17): Thank you very much, Senator Bleyer, and congratulations on your first question. I do remember that kind of quaint thing where you have to say, 'It's not my first speech,' before a question. We know it's not a question, and it's— Honourable senators interjecting— Senator AYRES: I'm trying to be kind.

These issues in relation to investments in salmon farming in Tasmania have been traversed in this parliament and in the lead-up to the last election. This minister has continued with the approach that we had in the previous term. We support the aquaculture industry, including the Tasmanian salmon industry.

It's an important contributor to the Tasmanian economy—production value of over $1.3 billion and many thousands of direct and indirect jobs. I do believe that we can have a sustainable industry and strong environmental protections. That is the approach of the government.

We can have both. We agree that sectors operating in sensitive environments have to do so in a sustainable and environmentally responsible way. Under the Constitution, state governments have responsibility for managing aquaculture in all waters up to three nautical miles offshore, meaning the Commonwealth government cannot legally intervene.

But we will support industry to operate responsibly. We will support the jobs that there are in that industry— (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Bleyer, first supplementary?