Algal Bloom

Mr BASHAM (Finniss) (15:08): My question is to the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water. Will the government commit to funding permanent, locally based water-monitoring programs across the state. With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Treasurer, I can't hear the member for Finniss's question.

Mr BASHAM: I was seeking leave, sir.

Leave granted.

Mr BASHAM: Benchmarking consistent testing for coastlines will ensure harmful algal blooms are detected early, accurate information is collected and the community knows what is dangerous and safe.

The Hon. L.P. HOOD (Adelaide—Minister for Climate, Environment and Water) (15:09): I thank the member for his question. This is why we invest in the science and the research, and this is why we have released a $102.5 million summer plan, in partnership with our federal colleagues, to be able to invest in science and monitoring, to invest in coastal communities that we are backing and to invest in supporting local coastal small businesses. As part of our $102.5 million summer plan, we have an extensive amount set aside specifically for science and monitoring. For example, it will be an investment in FlowCytobots, which will be able to provide us with some near or real-time monitoring. That is just as an example.

As I have mentioned in previous responses, there is a significant amount of funding as well in environmental recovery initiatives, like seagrass restoration and like native shellfish reefs. So, on this side of the house, we are definitely backing the science, backing our researchers and backing our health experts.

The SPEAKER: Before everyone heads off, I want to do a station promo: coming up later this afternoon, we will have the member for Unley's valedictory speech. Last time we had so many people doing valedictories that we were here till 1.30 in the morning, with Paul Caica doing a very funny speech, mainly with the aid of a long dinner break. So we are trying to formalise it a little bit more this time around. We have eight members who have indicated that they are retiring at the next election, so we have places for people to do their valedictory speeches. I encourage people to come in and listen to them, as we do for people when they make their first speech.

We have the Auditor-General's Report questioning up until 5.30pm, and then we want to try to start as close to 5.30pm as we can so the member for Unley can do his valedictory speech. Then we will break at 6pm, and we will come back after the break if that is the way the house wants to do it, and if anyone wants to contribute or respond they can then do that.