Eyre Peninsula Desalination Plant

Mr TELFER (Flinders) (14:54): My question is to the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water. Is the minister aware of any reports of a whale death in Boston Bay, Port Lincoln, and, if so, has she sought advice that SA Water activities were not a contributing factor in the death? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr TELFER: Last week, the media reported the stranding death of a pygmy whale found in Boston Bay, which was discovered within days of reported SA Water seismic testing associated with their proposed project at Billy Lights Point.

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Minister for Defence and Space Industries, Minister for Climate, Environment and Water) (14:54): Yes, there was a media report, although the media report was that there was no evidence of any connection. When the seismic testing was undertaken, I am advised that there was an effort to see if there were any whales around, and that there weren't. It is also true that it is quite frequent for whales, at this time of year, to wash up dead around that area. There had been one a couple of months earlier and then the one sometime after the seismic testing. There is no reason to consider that there would be a connection between the two, is the advice that I have received.