Algal Bloom

Mr BASHAM (Finniss) (17:00): My question is also to the Premier. Did the government invite US-based algal bloom expert Donald Anderson to South Australia and, if so, when?

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Minister for Workforce and Population Strategy) (17:00): Yes, the government did invite Don Anderson to come over here and he is here at present meeting with scientists. I am not sure when the invitation was first issued, but I am aware that back on 3 June PIRSA organised a meeting with a forum of some 80 scientists from international locations, as well as national and state, to start the conversation about what kind of evidence had been collected across the world, and subsequent to that have had a number of discussions with scientists overseas via various telecommunication mechanisms.

At some point during that period, they have clearly identified that Dr Anderson is a useful person to bring over, having had significant experience with the blooms that exist in the United States, although not Karenia mikimotoi. In Florida particularly there is the bloom of Karenia brevis and he has had experience with that. He is here at present, as I say, meeting particularly with SARDI but also with the EPA and with the environment department.