Algal Bloom

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:45): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Will the minister update the council on the government's efforts to support regional communities and businesses impacted by the current algal bloom, and what are the risks of misinformation about the algal bloom to jobs and livelihood?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:46): I thank the honourable member for his question. Algae is a natural part of our ecosystem and while some bloom events are harmless, the current one in South Australia, identified as the Karenia species, is, as we know, harmful to fish and some marine animals. Since the bloom was first detected on the Fleurieu Peninsula, it has spread naturally, impacting parts of South Australia's coastline. We know that this bloom is having a serious impact on marine life and the industries that rely on it, especially fishing, aquaculture and tourism.

In response to this natural phenomenon, the state government has put together a $28 million support package—funded by the state and federal governments—and this money is going directly towards research, supporting impacted businesses and communities, as well as clean-up efforts and public information. Through the provision of business grants, business recovery services and waived fisheries and aquaculture licence fees, the state government is supporting small businesses and commercial fishers who have been adversely affected.

Through the science and research component of the package, we are investing in the expansion of a coastal monitoring network using real-time sensors, satellite imagery and oceanographic modelling. Through coastal tourism vouchers, we are supporting regions that have been impacted by the algal bloom, and they will benefit from a new travel voucher program calling on South Australians to travel this spring. We are supporting the community through clean-up programs and small projects to help coastal communities recover and reconnect.

The state government has also allocated $750,000 to a Buy SA Seafood campaign, to emphasise that South Australian commercial seafood is perfectly safe and that SA Health has issued a specific advisory that all commercially available seafood from South Australian waters is safe to eat. This campaign is just one way the state government is backing local businesses impacted by the algal bloom.

Accurate public information is important. In a recent Budget and Finance Committee hearing, Liberal committee member, the Hon. Frank Pangallo, repeatedly put forward a notion that Adelaide's desalination plant may have caused the harmful algal bloom. Mr Pangallo also told the committee that he would be 'providing literature' to back up his claims, but to date I am advised he has only provided a single piece of paper, referencing research that appears to not exist.

Public information is important. It is an important component of our package. Unfortunately, throughout the occurrence of the algal bloom, there has been misinformation spread widely, and so the state government public forums in affected coastal areas, a central website and a weekly media conference are important tools to support clear—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —and factual communication for industry and community.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! I can't hear the minister.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: Members of this chamber have a shared responsibility, regardless of whether they sit on opposition benches or on government benches. They have the responsibility to lead with facts and with solutions, not with rank political opportunism. On an issue such as the algal bloom, it is critical for the communities and the industries impacted that information put forward—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Ms Girolamo!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —is accurate. It is important for communities and industries impacted that information put forward is accurate and that public confidence is not undermined.

It is irresponsible—it is more than irresponsible; it is reprehensible—for those opposite to play political games and entertain or promote various conspiracy theories with an environmental crisis, and yet that is what is happening. The algal bloom crisis has already caused significant stress to not only marine life and the health of our coastal waters but also to affected local businesses and communities that rely on our healthy oceans.

I would appeal to those opposite to work with the government to support communities and the work of our scientists to understand and to address this issue, not simply to default to what they know best: fearmongering, misrepresentation of facts that undermines public confidence and is a disservice to those people directly impacted. Our coastal communities, our tourism operators and our internationally renowned fishing industry cannot afford to be used as props in a political theatre being performed by those opposite. South Australia deserves better.