South Coast Algal Bloom

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:27): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing questions to the Minister for Primary Industries and the minister responsible for SARDI a question about scientific investigations into the algal bloom.

Leave granted.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: It has been widely published by the state government that they have contracted an international marine expert, Dr Donald Anderson, a senior scientist and the Director of the US National Office for Harmful Algal Blooms at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, to assist with the investigations into the algal bloom. My questions to the minister are:

1. Where is Dr Anderson going in South Australia, and are his investigations being supported by SARDI?

2. What is the value of Mr Anderson's contract, and does this remuneration come out of the state government's $14 million package?

3. Was Dr Anderson asked at any time by government to refrain from speaking to media or to retract comments made to media?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:28): I thank the honourable member for her question. We have been very pleased to be able to host Dr Anderson here in South Australia this week. He is recognised as having a large amount of expertise in regard to harmful algal blooms, in particular in the United States, and the discussions with people here in South Australia were that it would be particularly helpful to have him attend our state.

I am not familiar with whether there is a contract as such, or whatever else, but I believe that the cost of his flights were covered either in full or in part—I am not quite sure. He has a very busy schedule: he is meeting with SARDI, he is meeting with PIRSA, he is meeting with all of those who might be relevant that he is able to fit in. He will be providing an update at tomorrow's task force meeting on the harmful algal bloom. I know that the Premier was asked a similar question yesterday, of whether Dr Anderson had been asked not to speak to media, and he responded that, given he has been speaking to media, obviously not.