Political leaders 'passing the buck' on algae crisis
Greens senator for South Australia and environment spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young accused the federal and SA governments of shirking responsibility for the disaster, which has devastated marine life and caused widespread disruption of commercial fishing operations.
"We have the federal government saying it's a state issue, and we have the SA government dragging its feet in asking for federal help," Ms Hanson-Young said.
"It's past time that the prime minster and the premier sort this out."
The senator has demanded the event be classified as a natural disaster, with major federal government support needed.
"This is a national climate catastrophe and it requires a commensurate response."
"A COVID-19 style rescue package means support for the affected industries, community and local councils," she said.
Federal environment minister Murray Watt said the bloom was a state issue while it remained limited to South Australian waters, but added the federal government was monitoring the situation and working to support the Malinauskas government.
"My view was that it would be helpful to have a senior official from my department on the ground," Mr Watt told FIVEAA radio in Adelaide.
"That official was in Adelaide yesterday, is there again today, you know, conducting inspections, meeting with the relevant departments."
The algal bloom is naturally occurring, but the state's environment department has noted potential contributing factors - with a marine heatwave beginning in September 2024, following an influx of extra nutrients from the 2022-23 River Murray flood, later brought to the surface by an unprecedented cold-water upwelling the following summer.
Economic impacts and environmental recovery would still need to be considered, and nothing could be done to hasten the end of the bloom, Mr Watt said.
"We've been very clear that we're prepared to support South Australia in managing this, even though it is a matter within state waters," he said.
The South Australian government has offered three months of licence fee relief to commercial fishers, some of whom have reported catching nothing since April, a month after the bloom was first reported.
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