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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-11-11 Daily Xml
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Algal Bloom

Mr BASHAM (Finniss) (14:51): My question is again to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. Can the minister advise whether SA Health has seen an increase in the number of cases of bronchoconstriction since March of this year?

The Hon. C.J. PICTON (Kaurna—Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:51): It is a very similar answer to the question in terms of we obviously have been speaking to our hospitals and speaking to our general practitioners. Obviously, we see a number of people who are sick every year but the advice that I have received is that there is not an increase related to algal bloom in any of these particular conditions.

But, obviously, we are asking people to be mindful of that public health advice. I am very happy to go through it with the members. This is the same information that is available for all members of the community on our website, which is:

South Australian beaches can still be enjoyed but it's best to stay away from foamy or abnormally coloured water which may cause irritation.

If you do enter this water, or experience any irritation, rinse off with clean water afterwards. If the water is clear, it's fine to swim.

When the algae are broken up by wave action, algal particles may cause short-term irritation, including:

skin irritation

eye irritation

cough and shortness of breath.

If you notice these symptoms, move away from the beach or the water. Most symptoms will resolve within hours of leaving the area.

Advice for people with asthma

Some algal species can release biotoxins into the air through wave action that may trigger symptoms in people with asthma.

People with asthma are advised to:

carry their reliever medication with them while on beaches, especially where there is thick foam or abnormally coloured water

take their preventive medication as prescribed

check their asthma management plan is up-to-date.

People with known asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, or other form of chronic lung disease may be more vulnerable to the respiratory effects of biotoxins and should avoid areas where there is abnormally coloured or foamy water, particularly if there is an onshore breeze.

International evidence indicates there are no long-term health consequences of exposure at the beach to either algal particles or biotoxins.

If symptoms persist, see your doctor.

That is the advice that we have received, both the task force and me personally, but which has also been released to the public of South Australia. I ask the opposition, for the reasons articulated by the Premier earlier, not to try to play politics with what is an important issue for this state and actually seek to work constructively with the government and our public health officials to make sure that accurate information can be provided to our community.

Mr TEAGUE: The minister has referred to documents claiming that that's reference to advice. I call on the minister to table the document.

The Hon. C.J. PICTON: He has got me, sir! I will table the printout of the algal bloom website for the member.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Florey! You've been doing it all day.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: No, no, I'm finding him entertaining. He's very good.

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