Tasmania's peak bodies react to federal election result

The federal election result has elicited mostly positive reactions from Tasmania’s peak bodies.

Labor has increased the seats it will hold in the House of Representatives at the expense of the Liberals and the Greens.

TasFarmers President Ian Sauer said the result meant there would be decision-making and delivery on key election commitments due to the increased Labor majority.

“We congratulate all those elected and those who contested seats, because democracy depends on the participation of everyone,” Mr Sauer said.

“While we may not agree with every policy, we will continue pressing for the outcomes that matter to our members.”

Mr Sauer saw the strengthening of the Freight Equalisation Scheme, advancing irrigation projects, improving regional connectivity, and bolstering Australia’s biosecurity measures as election promises that were immediate priorities for the Albanese government.

However, he stated that because several issues were not presented during the federal election campaign, it was a fallacy to say there is a mandate from voters.

“It’s clear the government has no mandate to move on unrealised superannuation taxes, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act changes, or forestry interventions,” Mr Sauer said.

“Policies that did not form part of a political party's election platform should not then be considered to have an automatic mandate for legislation.

“Topics like these must first have the support of Australian voters through consultation and debate.

“These were not front-and-centre during the election, and TasFarmers will work hard to hold the government accountable on that front.”

Mr Sauer said any policy changes to farming operations would affect consumers.

“Every time a barrier or cost is added to farming, it shows up on the supermarket shelf. 

“Whether it’s biosecurity, environmental rules, or tax policy, we need science and fact-based decisions, not political experiments.

“Any policy change affects national food security and the dollars in people’s pockets.”

Meanwhile, Salmon Tasmania CEO Luke Martin said the election result was a “resounding endorsement” for aquaculture in the state, with the four Labor MPs all pledging support for the industry.

“This is especially clear in Braddon, where Macquarie Harbour aquaculture was a hot topic and salmon champion Anne Urquhart has had a resounding win,” Mr Martin said.

"Our industry has been subjected to an unprecedented attack by cashed-up interstate and foreign activists supporting anti-salmon candidates.

“Their lies, rallies and propaganda have failed.

“The overwhelming majority of Tasmanians have voted in support of Tasmania’s salmon industry, and our workers and communities can take great heart from this.

“Salmon Tasmania thanks every candidate who has stood side by side with our industry, both Labor and Liberal.”

Providing certainty for the state was how the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry described Labor’s federal election win.

“This is a win for Tasmanian industry,” Mr Bailey said.

“Labor’s win provides certainty for Tasmania’s clean energy future and will help to secure thousands of jobs over the next three years.

“We expect the re-elected Labor Government to provide certainty to Tasmania’s renewable sector and Marinus Link and our mining, forestry and salmon industries, as well as all of our small businesses.

“We look forward to working with the re-elected Labor Government over the next three years.”