Algal Bloom

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (15:00): I seek leave to make a brief explanation prior to addressing a question to the Minister for Primary Industries regarding the algal bloom.

Leave granted.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: At a recent Senate inquiry into the algal bloom, PIRSA scientist Dr Styan said, 'I think the short answer is that we don't know enough to know what the cause is.' Those comments were supported by his colleague Dr Doubell, when asked what caused the bloom. He said, 'There are hypotheses, but there's no data to understand what the contributing factor was.' So my questions to the minister are:

1. How does the minister respond to her own PIRSA scientists who are on the record stating that they are still unsure as to what has caused the algal bloom?

2. Is the minister concerned that the information provided by her government to the South Australian public on the causes of the bloom is contested by scientists in her own department?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:02): I thank the honourable member for her question. We know from the track record of those opposite that we should always take with a pinch of salt anything that they claim to be quoting from. Even in the quote that was given by the honourable member, she said the contributing 'factor', singular, as though there is a single contributing factor. Throughout the algal bloom forums, we have been providing information about the sorts of things that contribute to a harmful algal bloom. That is the advice we have received. That is the advice we will continue to act on.