Labor defends not calling ‘horrific' South Australia algae bloom a national disaster
A $14m funding request from the state government to combat the outbreak of toxic algae – which became known to authorities in March – was approved by the federal government this week.
The bloom has caused significant damage to a variety of marine life, bringing industries such as tourism and fishing to a grinding halt, and leaving animal carcasses washed up on beaches within an hour of Adelaide.
The Albanese government's response to the algae crisis has come under increasing scrutiny in recent weeks, with Nationals leader David Littleproud accusing Labor of being 'flat-footed'.
Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young has repeatedly called for the bloom to be classified as a national disaster, claiming the response would have been much swifter had Bondi Beach been impacted and that current legislation was not 'fit for purpose'.
'This is a catastrophe, an environmental disaster and an increasingly a community disaster. I am disappointed (Environment Minister Murray Watt) stopped short of declaring a disaster,' she told the ABC on Monday.
Questioned about Labor's response to the algal bloom on Tuesday, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said a 'legislated, formalised list of events' would have to occur for it to be classified as a national disaster.
'That doesn't change the fact that it's an environmental disaster. It doesn't change the fact that all eyes of the nation are on it,' he told ABC News Breakfast.
'That doesn't change the fact that for the people of South Australia, what they are seeing … carcasses washing up onto their beaches, it's absolutely horrific.'
Mr Burke said what mattered was that Mr Watt was 'there on the ground' on Monday.
'The Premier of SA (Peter Malinauskas) made statements as well yesterday. We're working cooperatively,' he said.
Mr Watt said on Monday the funding would be allocated towards both short- and long-term measures faced by South Australians, such as beach clean-ups, community awareness campaigns, and ongoing investment in scientific research.
'There will need to be some further discussions between ourselves and the South Australian government about exactly the details of how that funding is used,' he said.
'The reality is, we are in uncharted waters here.'
Mr Malinauskas said it was important to recognise the unprecedented nature of the bloom, which had ballooned across thousands of square kilometres of ocean.
'We've never seen an algal bloom of this size and scale in the history of our country's coastline … I think it's reasonable to assume that it won't be the first incident of its type in this country,' he said.
'The type of investment that was announced yesterday will go a long way in better understanding how we can prepare and plan for these types of events into the future.'
Mr Malinauskas told the ABC he wanted to be 'really clear' the bloom was a 'natural disaster'.
'There are over 400 different species of marine life that have been killed off or had deaths as a result of this algal bloom,' he said.
'It's been with us for a while (and) it's starting to affect various parts of the aquaculture industry here in South Australia.
'It's always going to be better if we have state and federal governments working collaboratively together and that's very much what Minister Watt demonstrated yesterday, which we welcome.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
Why does everyone get sick so often in winter?
Welcome to Ask Doctor Zac, a weekly column from This week, Dr Zac Turner explores why so many people get sick in the winter. QUESTION: Hi Dr Zac, Every winter like clockwork, my sharehouse becomes a snotty, coughing mess. I always assumed it was just because me and my flatties are inside more, but I read something about viruses surviving longer in colder temperatures. Is that true? And does the lack of sun during winter actually mess with our immune systems? – Matt, 29, Ballarat VIC ANSWER: Thanks for the question, Matt – and condolences to your household's sinuses. Winter really does bring with it a revolving door of colds, flus and respiratory infections. It's not your imagination. And while yes, spending more time indoors definitely helps viruses spread, the science of why we get sicker in winter runs a bit deeper – and chillier – than that. Let's start with the temperature. Many common viruses, including rhinoviruses (the ones behind most colds) and influenza, actually survive longer and replicate more effectively in colder, drier conditions. One study from the Journal of Virology found that some viruses become more stable and infectious in lower temperatures because the cold preserves the viral envelope – essentially giving them a longer shelf life while they search for their next victim (you). Add in the fact that we're all breathing the same stale air indoors, and it's a perfect storm: less ventilation, more close contact, and viruses that are thriving in the cold. Now, let's talk about vitamin D. This isn't some wellness influencer's pet obsession – it's genuinely important for your immune function. Vitamin D helps regulate immune responses, and deficiency has been linked to increased susceptibility to infections, particularly respiratory ones. In winter, shorter daylight hours and less skin exposure to UVB rays means your body produces less vitamin D naturally. In fact, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows nearly one in four Aussies have insufficient vitamin D during the colder months – especially in southern regions like Victoria and Tasmania. So yes, Matt: cold temperatures, indoor living, and low vitamin D levels all team up to make winter a bit of a microbial minefield. What can you do about it? • Maximise ventilation: Even cracking a window makes a difference. Let your house breathe. Get outside during daylight hours: A lunchtime walk could help top up your vitamin D – just 10–15 minutes of sun exposure to arms and face can help. • Eat immune-supporting foods: Fatty fish, eggs, mushrooms and fortified milks are great sources of vitamin D. And yes, supplements are helpful if you're deficient – but check with your GP before starting. • Practice good hygiene: Wash hands, cover coughs, and maybe don't share that water bottle with your sniffling housemate. A few smart habits can help make your winter less snotty – and keep your immune system in fighting form until the sun comes back. Stay warm, Dr Zac Dr Zac Turner is a medical practitioner specialising in preventative health and wellness. He has four health/medical degrees – Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Sydney, Bachelor of Nursing at Central Queensland University, and Bachelor of Biomedical Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast. He is a registrar for the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, and is completing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering (UNSW). Dr Zac is the medical director for his own holistic wellness medical clinics throughout Australia, Concierge Doctors.
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
Big step to kick off $25 medicines pledge
Labor will begin its first steps to legislate its election promise to cap the cost of scripts listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme to $25 from January 1 of next year. Once passed, eligible medicines will be lowered from $31.60 to $25. The government estimates the change will save Australians $200m a year, while costing the budget $690m over four years. This is in addition to previous reforms which allowed patients to acquire 60-day prescriptions, and freezing the cost of medicine for pension and concession card holders at $7.70 until the end of 2029. Labor will begin its first steps to bring down the cost of PBS-listed medicines to just $25. NewsWire/ Dan Peled Credit: News Corp Australia The election pledge was also matched by the Coalition, suggesting the Bill will likely have a swift passage through parliament. Anthony Albanese said it was a promise delivered. 'This is another example of cost of living relief that helps every Australian,' Mr Albanese said. 'The size of your bank balance shouldn't determine the quality of your healthcare. My government will continue to deliver cost of living relief for all Australians.' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said 'the size of your bank balance shouldn't determine the quality of your healthcare'. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia Mr Albanese said the government would continue to deliver cost of living relief for Aussies. NewsWire/Philip Gostelow Credit: News Corp Australia Health Minister Mark Bulter also welcomed the incoming Bill. 'Cheaper medicines are good for the hip pocket and good for your health,' Mr Butler said. 'For general patients medicines haven't been this cheap since 2004. 'For pension and concession card holders we've frozen your medicine prices at a maximum price of $7.70 until the end of the decade.' The Bill comes as the United States lashed Australia's PBS as 'discriminatory' amid tariff negotiations to remove the general 10 per cent levy, as well as fees on Australian steel and aluminium US imports. The government estimates the change will save Aussies $200m a year. NewsWire/Joel Carrett Credit: News Corp Australia Concerningly, US President Donald Trump has also flagged a 200 per cent tariff on pharmaceutical imports, which could have a major impact on $2bn of Australian exports. However the Albanese government said it is unwilling to use the PBS as a bargaining chip. On Sunday, Mr Albanese also faced a grilling over when Labor would introduce its proposed plan to double the tax on superannuation accounts over $3m up to 30 per cent. He said the Bill 'will come in time' and that the priority in the first fortnight was policies 'that make a difference to people's money in their pocket'. Perth MP and assistant minister to the Prime Minister Patrick Gorman said the government had been 'clear about our priorities' for the Bill and said he was 'confident it will pass'. 'I think we have seen in this building, time and time again, that when it comes to getting things through parliament, you have got to also let the parliamentary processes do their piece,' he said.
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
Labor to introduce Bill to cap PBS-listed scripts at $25, PM dodges questions on super tax
Labor will begin its first steps to legislate its election promise to cap the cost of scripts listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme to $25 from January 1 of next year. Once passed, eligible medicines will be lowered from $31.60 to $25. The government estimates the change will save Australians $200m a year, while costing the budget $690m over four years. This is in addition to previous reforms which allowed patients to acquire 60-day prescriptions, and freezing the cost of medicine for pension and concession card holders at $7.70 until the end of 2029. The election pledge was also matched by the Coalition, suggesting the Bill will likely have a swift passage through parliament. Anthony Albanese said it was a promise delivered. 'This is another example of cost of living relief that helps every Australian,' Mr Albanese said. 'The size of your bank balance shouldn't determine the quality of your healthcare. My government will continue to deliver cost of living relief for all Australians.' Health Minister Mark Bulter also welcomed the incoming Bill. 'Cheaper medicines are good for the hip pocket and good for your health,' Mr Butler said. 'For general patients medicines haven't been this cheap since 2004. 'For pension and concession card holders we've frozen your medicine prices at a maximum price of $7.70 until the end of the decade.' The Bill comes as the United States lashed Australia's PBS as 'discriminatory' amid tariff negotiations to remove the general 10 per cent levy, as well as fees on Australian steel and aluminium US imports. Concerningly, US President Donald Trump has also flagged a 200 per cent tariff on pharmaceutical imports, which could have a major impact on $2bn of Australian exports. However the Albanese government said it is unwilling to use the PBS as a bargaining chip. On Sunday, Mr Albanese also faced a grilling over when Labor would introduce its proposed plan to double the tax on superannuation accounts over $3m up to 30 per cent. He said the Bill 'will come in time' and that the priority in the first fortnight was policies 'that make a difference to people's money in their pocket'. Perth MP and assistant minister to the Prime Minister Patrick Gorman said the government had been 'clear about our priorities' for the Bill and said he was 'confident it will pass'. 'I think we have seen in this building, time and time again, that when it comes to getting things through parliament, you have got to also let the parliamentary processes do their piece,' he said.
