Tassal jobs claim row
TASMANIAN Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson has told the Senate a leaked Tassal document indicates the company plans to cut feed jobs with the introduction of an automated system.
But Tassal says the document is outdated and its 1300strong workforce is predicted to rise by 15 per cent next year.
Senator Whish-Wilson said Tassal had spruiked jobs growth as the basis of its social licence to operate, particularly in regards to the controversial expansion of salmon farming into Okehampton Bay.
He told the Senate the document outlined how Tassal’s new automated feeding strategy would allow one operator to concurrently feed nine pens, instead of the current three, meaning they would need just 35 feed operators by 2025.
Senator Whish-Wilson said under Tassal’s current feeding method it would need 105 feed employees by 2025, with 65 positions now in the company.
“Tassal, with the full-throated support of the Liberal and state Labor parties, have been telling Tasmanians their salmon farm expansion in Tasmania will create jobs — jobs in regional centres like Triabunna, adjacent to the pristine Okehampton Bay,” he said.
“The document clearly shows Tassal is at least planning to cut jobs if it upgrades its automatic feeding systems.”
Tassal head of engagement Barbara McGregor said the firm was predicting job growth.
Ms McGregor said the company’s new feeding strategy would have significant environmental benefits. But she confirmed it would result in reduced roles in that area.
She said because Tassal’s overall number of employees would increase, people in feeding roles would be able to transition to other farming roles and would be given first priority.
“This technological advance will deliver feeding efficiencies, while assisting to mitigate benthic impact through reduced feed waste and real-time monitoring of environmental conditions,” she said.
“Unfortunately, Mr Whish- Wilson appears to have taken some information that was specific to one part of our business — feeding ... and therefore presented incorrect information about both Okehampton Bay and other areas of our business, while at the same time failing to recognise the overall job growth for Tassal and specifically the excellent environmental and people safety benefits of this technology,” Ms McGregor said.