Algal Bloom

Mr BASHAM (Finniss) (14:58): My question is to the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water. Which agency was responsible for managing the algal bloom and when was that made clear to coastal councils? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr BASHAM: The Senate inquiry reports that councils were confused which agency—DEW, PIRSA or the EPA—was responsible.

The Hon. L.P. HOOD (Adelaide—Minister for Climate, Environment and Water) (14:59): I thank the member for his question. It speaks to what the Premier spoke about earlier. So concerned was the member at the time that he chose not to raise any questions in this place. The fact is this has been a cross-agency coordinated effort in response to what is an unprecedented event. We are seeing these interconnected events, obviously, when speaking about how we saw some of the trigger points for the potential of such a harmful algal bloom, whether that was the River Murray floods, also the cold water upwelling that brought nutrients to our coastline, and also the 2.5° marine heatwave.

The fact is that we are seeing, in no small part due to climate change, our communities being affected by these events, which makes it all the more preposterous that in Canberra just today, their Liberal colleagues are tearing themselves apart over whether or not they should maintain a position on net zero.

The fact is that this was a coordinated cross-agency effort. I am also proud to chair a stakeholder reference group with Minister Scriven in the other place that is consulting and collaborating with various stakeholder groups, including local councils. We greatly value their advice and feedback, as we have been rolling out both our $28 million response and the $1.25 million summer plan. I thank all those stakeholders for being part of that group. It has been a significant cross-agency effort as we respond to this unprecedented event. We look forward to continuing to roll out that support to our coastal communities, coastal small businesses and also around recovery for our environment.