Algal Bloom

Mr BASHAM (Finniss) (14:49): My question is to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. Can the minister advise whether SA Health has seen an increase in the number of cases of bronchitis and pneumonia since March of this year?

The Hon. C.J. PICTON (Kaurna—Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:49): I am happy to check the exact statistics, but that's certainly not the advice that I have received from SA  Health. I again reiterate that we are acting in terms of the health advice. We are acting on the advice of public health officials who served the previous government well during the COVID pandemic and have served us well since then.

I think it is disappointing to hear a continual politicisation of our public health officials and their advice. There is very clear public health advice on the algal bloom. It's come from our public health officials—not from me or my office or anyone on the political side of the government but from the public health officials in SA Health. That is on the website. It's based on the evidence of algal blooms around the world.

We have been in touch with general practitioners. I have been part of a teleconference we have undertaken with general practitioners. Certainly, we are keeping in contact with general practitioners in terms of what they are hearing and seeing, but we are not receiving advice along the lines that the member is referring to.