Opposition Leader Sussan Ley is set to visit South Australia on Wednesday, a week ahead of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese‘s planned inspection, as the state grapples with a worsening algal bloom crisis. The situation has become increasingly dire, prompting Premier Peter Malinauskas to call for the federal government to declare the event a natural disaster, which would unlock additional funding for impacted sectors such as fishing and tourism.
On Wednesday, Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt will also be in Adelaide, where he previously pledged $14 million in one-off funding. However, he contends that the algal bloom does not meet the criteria typically associated with natural disasters like fires and floods. During his visit next week, Albanese is expected to announce a new funding package aimed at assisting the state in managing a crisis that has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of marine creatures.
“We are, as a government, very concerned. This isn’t something that’s the fault of any government; it’s something that is a consequence of those nutrients and high water temperatures,” Albanese stated. He noted that various environmental factors are currently affecting Australia.
Environmental Impact and Government Response
Scientists attribute the algal bloom to the 2023-24 Murray River flood, which has introduced excessive nutrients into the ocean, combined with elevated ocean temperatures linked to climate change. Both state and federal governments are wary that their slow response could adversely affect Australia’s bid to host the 2026 Conference of the Parties global climate change summit in Adelaide.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler, a South Australian, acknowledged three weeks ago that the federal government had been “a bit slow” to respond to the situation, which has been developing since February. “The best time to have done this would have been some weeks ago, maybe even a few months ago, but the second-best time is now,” Butler remarked following Watt’s initial visit.
Watt further stirred controversy on Monday by apologising to South Australians for “the perception” that both levels of government had delayed their response to the crisis.
Premier Malinauskas faces mounting pressure amid criticism that he remained on holiday in July while the crisis escalated, drawing comparisons to former Prime Minister Scott Morrison‘s 2019 trip to Hawaii during bushfires in eastern states. Ley has called on Albanese to join Watt in offering an apology.
“He should front up to these communities, look them in the eye, and also apologise to South Australians for his government’s failures,” Ley stated. “You can bet if this crisis was hitting Sydney or Melbourne, Anthony Albanese would have acted sooner. It is clear South Australians have been overlooked.”
Calls for Increased Monitoring and Support
On May 27, 2023, a group of 16 marine scientists expressed growing concern about ocean warming in southern waters. They wrote to Watt, requesting a meeting and $4 million in annual funding to enhance monitoring of the crisis. Both requests were denied. The scientists, part of the Great Southern Reef Research Partnership, had previously reached out to then-Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek in October 2023 for funding related to a national monitoring program but received a similar response.
As South Australia navigates this environmental crisis, the need for timely government action and support for affected communities remains critical. The outcome of Albanese’s upcoming visit could play a pivotal role in shaping the state’s response and recovery efforts.
