Algal Bloom

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:19): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development regarding the Algal Bloom Summer Plan. Will the minister speak to the chamber about the state government's Algal Bloom Summer Plan and how it will assist impacted—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: Mr President, these people have been complaining about this all month and now we are about to give them some information about where we are going, and I can't even hear myself speak.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Wortley, just ask your question, please.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: —and how important it is to ensure accurate and timely information that informs people's choices this summer.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:20): I thank the honourable member for his question. The $102.5 million Algal Bloom Summer Plan is a comprehensive, science-backed, community-led and industry-driven plan to steer our state through the challenges that the algal bloom presents this coming. summer.

While as a state we have learned a lot about the algal bloom over the last seven or so months, there is still an element of the unknown: ultimately how long the algal bloom will persist in South Australia's waters. What we do know is that the impacts have been felt across industries and communities, and the summer plan is another element that builds on the significant support that has already been made available.

It builds upon the investments already made in science and research and the natural environment. Additional funding of $37 million is made up of: $20.6 million for large-scale shellfish reef restoration and community shellfish reef restoration projects, seagrass and blue carbon restoration and threatened and vulnerable marine species breeding programs, including fish stocking for vulnerable and threatened species; $17.3 million will go towards water monitoring and forecasting, offshore water analysis, AI cytobots with live detection technology, setting up the Office for Algal Bloom Research and algal bloom mitigation investigations, including techniques for controlled waterways such as clay; $6.1 million is provided for a coastal infrastructure grant program for things like showers, benches, fish cleaning stations, barbecues and shade structures; as well as a coastal events program which will see grants of up to $20,000 to assist with events to encourage visitation and economic activity across coastal regions this summer.

Comprehensive additional support is available for fishing and marine sectors, with additional funds for business support grants that will see eligible businesses which have already received a grant under the initial support package able to apply if they are able to demonstrate a continued further three-month downturn, covering both the $10,000 business support grant and up to $100,000 fisheries and aquaculture assistance grants. Of course, impacted businesses which have not yet applied for a grant are also able to seek assistance and the timeline for doing so has been extended to 31 March from the original closing date of 30 November.

An additional up to $25,000 grant is available for hardest hit fisheries and aquaculture licence holders to support their workers, which is important as those businesses work hard to retain their much valued workforce through this difficult time. Further licence fee relief will be available with support extended until at least the end of June 2026. Grants of up to $150,000 for commercial fisheries and aquaculture licence holders will be made available for an industry response and resilience program, helping with diversification opportunities and business resilience. This is the important aspect of support that has been called for by industry.

However, I note with interest the disparaging remarks made about this program by the Leader of the Opposition in this place, who this morning called it a token and asks, 'How exactly are fishers and operators meant to build resilience and capitalise on new opportunities?' The Leader of the Opposition may want to ask that question to the industry and industry members that requested this program. Though, to be fair, I know that the Leader of the Opposition in this place does not often reach out to industry bodies to seek their views, so I guess she is not aware.

Indeed, I would refer the leader to the comments made by Mr Kyri Toumazos of Seafood Industry South Australia, who said of the summer plan that he:

...congratulates the Malinauskas Labor government on the collaborative approach navigating the challenges faced by the industry.

The Premier hasn't just listened, he has acted on the strong advice and need of the seafood sector and delivered on all the key asks.

We look forward to partnering with the government to get these initiatives off the ground and provide desperately needed relief and assistance to the seafood sector and the coastal regional communities that rely upon it.

Another quote was from, I understand, the Country Hour today, where Mr Lester Marshall, who is in the oyster industry, said:

We've accessed funding. The Premier has done a fantastic job. He's listened, and I think it's been fantastic. This, today, will be brilliant and well received.

While those opposite continue to try to make political capital, we are getting on with the job. The Leader of the Opposition still continues to seek the negativity despite that response that we have so far received.

There will be an extension of the popular Coast is Calling program, with a further 30,000 travel vouchers on offer over the summer holidays, and the Dining Cashback program, where up to 300,000 South Australians will secure up to $50 off their meal at hospitality venues across our coastal communities, driving critical business to these businesses that are such a part of our summers on the coast. These measures are complemented by beach programs that will encourage visitation to beaches, ensuring timely and accurate information on conditions and safety and ensuring beach clean-ups are undertaken daily across metropolitan and southern beaches.

The state government understands this issue continues to evolve, and the response continues to evolve with it. We have worked very closely with industry and communities in getting support to them as well as critical information, with the many community forums held across the state being well attended as well as the algalbloom.sa.gov.au website and a new algal bloom hotline.

Compare this with the approach of those opposite, who have chosen a different path, constantly sowing distrust in science and the information being provided so that South Australians can make informed choices. One of the clearest impacts of this is when businesses which are still fishing are facing difficulty—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: It is disappointing that those opposite don't care enough about our South Australian communities to actually listen to the information about the summer plan.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: We are providing information about the comprehensive summer plan, but they are complaining that it's taking too long. Well, the people in South Australia's industries and coastal communities think this is the work you should be doing. You should be learning about the summer plan and how you could actually work with us.

The PRESIDENT: Sit down. While you are providing information, I am tolerant. When you are just throwing bait across the chamber, that's not providing information. This has been going on for eight minutes. It's an important topic, right? Finish your information, and then let's get onto the next question.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: One of the clear messages from business, particularly those in fishing who are facing financial difficulty, is that they need the message to get out there that their product is safe. Sadly, those who want to foment distrust of our seafood are doing them a huge disservice. It seeps through every time Vincent Tarzia and the Leader of the Opposition in this place talk down our seafood or discourage people from visiting our coastal communities. We would have hoped for a bipartisan response. Sadly, we haven't seen it. I encourage those opposite to look at the summer plan and perhaps start to work collaboratively for the good of South Australians.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!