Algal Bloom

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:58): 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: According to Professor Mike Steer, Executive Director of SARDI, the algal bloom has been caused by three things: (1) floodwaters from the River Murray flooding event in 2022-23 bringing extra nutrients into the sea; (2) a cold water upwelling in summer 2023-24, lifting more nutrients to the water surface; and (3) a marine heatwave since September 2024, lifting water temperatures 2.5° above normal. These three causes are also listed on the government's algal bloom website explicitly as the cause of the algal bloom. So my question to the minister is: does the minister agree with SARDI's executive director?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:59): I am always very pleased to take the advice of eminent scientists and I am also very pleased that we have eminent scientists within SARDI and within PIRSA.