Latest news with #VincentTarzia
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
'Practical focus' as algal bloom inquiry calls rejected
The SA government has rejected calls for a royal commission into the algal bloom that has had a devastating impact on the state's marine life, saying it is focused on providing "practical support" to affected industries. The naturally occurring algal bloom has killed tens of thousands of marine animals from almost 400 species and caused widespread disruption to commercial fisheries and aquaculture operations since it was identified off the Fleurieu Peninsula in March. The Liberal Party has called for a royal commission to deliver "independent accountability, transparency and real recommendations" on the algal bloom. Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia said experience of similar incidents around the world showed it could be several years before fishing, aquaculture and tourism industries recovered. Environment Minister Susan Close said the state government's focus was on providing practical support to businesses, "including licence fee relief which was asked for and welcomed by the industry". "The government continues to work with commercial fishers, tourism operators and councils to support them through this difficult time and to look at research and recovery investment options," she said. "The commonwealth government is being kept informed and its assistance will likely be sought to fund some measures." But sixth-generation squid fisherman Nathan Eatts, based on the Fleurieu Peninsula, told AAP the industry needed much more support than fee relief, along the lines of the Farm Household Allowance for drought, or JobKeeper during the COVID-19 pandemic. "I haven't caught a single calamari since April 18, and calamari is 95 per cent of my business," he said. "Fee relief is going to be like a grand. It doesn't do a lot." He said the only thing giving him hope was the fact dead squid were not being found on shore. "So there's a little bit of optimism there that maybe they're out in deep water waiting for this algae to clear. But when is it going to clear? "It's stressing everyone out." The bloom has been breaking up in recent weeks, spreading north into Spencer Gulf, south into the Coorong wetlands and along Adelaide's beaches in Gulf St Vincent. The government revealed last week it had now been detected in Adelaide's Port River. The algal bloom has also forced a temporary halt to mussel harvesting in several areas around Port Lincoln due to the detection of shellfish toxins. Latest statewide observations show sea surface temperatures have continued to decrease in shallow coastal and gulf waters. But deeper continental shelf waters, including around Kangaroo Island and southern Yorke Peninsula, continue to experience moderate to strong marine heatwave conditions of 1C to 2C above average. The state government is offering an initial relief package to affected fishing licence holders to waive fees from April to June. Experts partly attribute the bloom to a marine heatwave that started in September - with sea temperatures about 2.5C warmer than usual - combined with calm conditions, light winds and small swells. The SA government has rejected calls for a royal commission into the algal bloom that has had a devastating impact on the state's marine life, saying it is focused on providing "practical support" to affected industries. The naturally occurring algal bloom has killed tens of thousands of marine animals from almost 400 species and caused widespread disruption to commercial fisheries and aquaculture operations since it was identified off the Fleurieu Peninsula in March. The Liberal Party has called for a royal commission to deliver "independent accountability, transparency and real recommendations" on the algal bloom. Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia said experience of similar incidents around the world showed it could be several years before fishing, aquaculture and tourism industries recovered. Environment Minister Susan Close said the state government's focus was on providing practical support to businesses, "including licence fee relief which was asked for and welcomed by the industry". "The government continues to work with commercial fishers, tourism operators and councils to support them through this difficult time and to look at research and recovery investment options," she said. "The commonwealth government is being kept informed and its assistance will likely be sought to fund some measures." But sixth-generation squid fisherman Nathan Eatts, based on the Fleurieu Peninsula, told AAP the industry needed much more support than fee relief, along the lines of the Farm Household Allowance for drought, or JobKeeper during the COVID-19 pandemic. "I haven't caught a single calamari since April 18, and calamari is 95 per cent of my business," he said. "Fee relief is going to be like a grand. It doesn't do a lot." He said the only thing giving him hope was the fact dead squid were not being found on shore. "So there's a little bit of optimism there that maybe they're out in deep water waiting for this algae to clear. But when is it going to clear? "It's stressing everyone out." The bloom has been breaking up in recent weeks, spreading north into Spencer Gulf, south into the Coorong wetlands and along Adelaide's beaches in Gulf St Vincent. The government revealed last week it had now been detected in Adelaide's Port River. The algal bloom has also forced a temporary halt to mussel harvesting in several areas around Port Lincoln due to the detection of shellfish toxins. Latest statewide observations show sea surface temperatures have continued to decrease in shallow coastal and gulf waters. But deeper continental shelf waters, including around Kangaroo Island and southern Yorke Peninsula, continue to experience moderate to strong marine heatwave conditions of 1C to 2C above average. The state government is offering an initial relief package to affected fishing licence holders to waive fees from April to June. Experts partly attribute the bloom to a marine heatwave that started in September - with sea temperatures about 2.5C warmer than usual - combined with calm conditions, light winds and small swells. The SA government has rejected calls for a royal commission into the algal bloom that has had a devastating impact on the state's marine life, saying it is focused on providing "practical support" to affected industries. The naturally occurring algal bloom has killed tens of thousands of marine animals from almost 400 species and caused widespread disruption to commercial fisheries and aquaculture operations since it was identified off the Fleurieu Peninsula in March. The Liberal Party has called for a royal commission to deliver "independent accountability, transparency and real recommendations" on the algal bloom. Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia said experience of similar incidents around the world showed it could be several years before fishing, aquaculture and tourism industries recovered. Environment Minister Susan Close said the state government's focus was on providing practical support to businesses, "including licence fee relief which was asked for and welcomed by the industry". "The government continues to work with commercial fishers, tourism operators and councils to support them through this difficult time and to look at research and recovery investment options," she said. "The commonwealth government is being kept informed and its assistance will likely be sought to fund some measures." But sixth-generation squid fisherman Nathan Eatts, based on the Fleurieu Peninsula, told AAP the industry needed much more support than fee relief, along the lines of the Farm Household Allowance for drought, or JobKeeper during the COVID-19 pandemic. "I haven't caught a single calamari since April 18, and calamari is 95 per cent of my business," he said. "Fee relief is going to be like a grand. It doesn't do a lot." He said the only thing giving him hope was the fact dead squid were not being found on shore. "So there's a little bit of optimism there that maybe they're out in deep water waiting for this algae to clear. But when is it going to clear? "It's stressing everyone out." The bloom has been breaking up in recent weeks, spreading north into Spencer Gulf, south into the Coorong wetlands and along Adelaide's beaches in Gulf St Vincent. The government revealed last week it had now been detected in Adelaide's Port River. The algal bloom has also forced a temporary halt to mussel harvesting in several areas around Port Lincoln due to the detection of shellfish toxins. Latest statewide observations show sea surface temperatures have continued to decrease in shallow coastal and gulf waters. But deeper continental shelf waters, including around Kangaroo Island and southern Yorke Peninsula, continue to experience moderate to strong marine heatwave conditions of 1C to 2C above average. The state government is offering an initial relief package to affected fishing licence holders to waive fees from April to June. Experts partly attribute the bloom to a marine heatwave that started in September - with sea temperatures about 2.5C warmer than usual - combined with calm conditions, light winds and small swells. The SA government has rejected calls for a royal commission into the algal bloom that has had a devastating impact on the state's marine life, saying it is focused on providing "practical support" to affected industries. The naturally occurring algal bloom has killed tens of thousands of marine animals from almost 400 species and caused widespread disruption to commercial fisheries and aquaculture operations since it was identified off the Fleurieu Peninsula in March. The Liberal Party has called for a royal commission to deliver "independent accountability, transparency and real recommendations" on the algal bloom. Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia said experience of similar incidents around the world showed it could be several years before fishing, aquaculture and tourism industries recovered. Environment Minister Susan Close said the state government's focus was on providing practical support to businesses, "including licence fee relief which was asked for and welcomed by the industry". "The government continues to work with commercial fishers, tourism operators and councils to support them through this difficult time and to look at research and recovery investment options," she said. "The commonwealth government is being kept informed and its assistance will likely be sought to fund some measures." But sixth-generation squid fisherman Nathan Eatts, based on the Fleurieu Peninsula, told AAP the industry needed much more support than fee relief, along the lines of the Farm Household Allowance for drought, or JobKeeper during the COVID-19 pandemic. "I haven't caught a single calamari since April 18, and calamari is 95 per cent of my business," he said. "Fee relief is going to be like a grand. It doesn't do a lot." He said the only thing giving him hope was the fact dead squid were not being found on shore. "So there's a little bit of optimism there that maybe they're out in deep water waiting for this algae to clear. But when is it going to clear? "It's stressing everyone out." The bloom has been breaking up in recent weeks, spreading north into Spencer Gulf, south into the Coorong wetlands and along Adelaide's beaches in Gulf St Vincent. The government revealed last week it had now been detected in Adelaide's Port River. The algal bloom has also forced a temporary halt to mussel harvesting in several areas around Port Lincoln due to the detection of shellfish toxins. Latest statewide observations show sea surface temperatures have continued to decrease in shallow coastal and gulf waters. But deeper continental shelf waters, including around Kangaroo Island and southern Yorke Peninsula, continue to experience moderate to strong marine heatwave conditions of 1C to 2C above average. The state government is offering an initial relief package to affected fishing licence holders to waive fees from April to June. Experts partly attribute the bloom to a marine heatwave that started in September - with sea temperatures about 2.5C warmer than usual - combined with calm conditions, light winds and small swells.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
'Practical focus' as algal bloom inquiry calls rejected
The SA government has rejected calls for a royal commission into the algal bloom that has had a devastating impact on the state's marine life, saying it is focused on providing "practical support" to affected industries. The naturally occurring algal bloom has killed tens of thousands of marine animals from almost 400 species and caused widespread disruption to commercial fisheries and aquaculture operations since it was identified off the Fleurieu Peninsula in March. The Liberal Party has called for a royal commission to deliver "independent accountability, transparency and real recommendations" on the algal bloom. Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia said experience of similar incidents around the world showed it could be several years before fishing, aquaculture and tourism industries recovered. Environment Minister Susan Close said the state government's focus was on providing practical support to businesses, "including licence fee relief which was asked for and welcomed by the industry". "The government continues to work with commercial fishers, tourism operators and councils to support them through this difficult time and to look at research and recovery investment options," she said. "The commonwealth government is being kept informed and its assistance will likely be sought to fund some measures." But sixth-generation squid fisherman Nathan Eatts, based on the Fleurieu Peninsula, told AAP the industry needed much more support than fee relief, along the lines of the Farm Household Allowance for drought, or JobKeeper during the COVID-19 pandemic. "I haven't caught a single calamari since April 18, and calamari is 95 per cent of my business," he said. "Fee relief is going to be like a grand. It doesn't do a lot." He said the only thing giving him hope was the fact dead squid were not being found on shore. "So there's a little bit of optimism there that maybe they're out in deep water waiting for this algae to clear. But when is it going to clear? "It's stressing everyone out." The bloom has been breaking up in recent weeks, spreading north into Spencer Gulf, south into the Coorong wetlands and along Adelaide's beaches in Gulf St Vincent. The government revealed last week it had now been detected in Adelaide's Port River. The algal bloom has also forced a temporary halt to mussel harvesting in several areas around Port Lincoln due to the detection of shellfish toxins. Latest statewide observations show sea surface temperatures have continued to decrease in shallow coastal and gulf waters. But deeper continental shelf waters, including around Kangaroo Island and southern Yorke Peninsula, continue to experience moderate to strong marine heatwave conditions of 1C to 2C above average. The state government is offering an initial relief package to affected fishing licence holders to waive fees from April to June. Experts partly attribute the bloom to a marine heatwave that started in September - with sea temperatures about 2.5C warmer than usual - combined with calm conditions, light winds and small swells.
The Advertiser
17-06-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
After-hours GPs, tax relief pitch in budget reply
Grants of $150,000 for GP clinics to offer after-hours services, stamp duty relief for first homebuyers and support for drought-stricken farmers are central to a Liberal opposition's pitch for government. In the South Australian parliament on Tuesday, Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia responded to the Malinauskas government's June 5 budget, in a speech that was also a pitch to voters before the state election in March. The budget was "arrogant and visionless" and was filled with "spin, debt, broken promises and bad priorities", he said. "The cost of living is crushing, home ownership is slipping out of reach, our health system is under incredible pressure, crime is spiralling and our regions are in drought, desperate for support," Mr Tarzia said. Meanwhile, "Party Pete" was "riding the wave of event after event, often on the taxpayer dime", he said in reference to Premier Peter Malinauskas. "The likes of Sam Smith, Greg Norman, Katy Perry … that's where he's most comfortable," he said. Mr Tarzia announced a two-year trial to offer $150,000 grants to GP clinics to help cover the cost of opening until 8pm on weekdays and on Sundays. "We will abolish Labor's water bill price hike, we'll scrap Labor's GP payroll tax grab and we'll slash stamp duty for first homebuyers, including on existing homes," he said. First homebuyers purchasing an existing home of up to $1 million would not pay stamp duty, saving up to $48,000 in upfront costs, and the Liberals would also waive the $192 mortgage registration fee. Treasurer Stephen Mullighan's budget was headlined by a $395 million "law and order" package to fund hundreds of extra police officers, but existing commitments to big-ticket road and hospital projects and net debt of $35.5 billion, left it little room to move on big new investments. Mr Tarzia said the government's $73 million drought package provided "little relief" to farmers and regional communities doing it tough. "So far, their response has been nothing but disgraceful," he said. The government needed to create a drought hardship registry, fast-track relief with targeted rebates, subsidise water carting and deliver low or no interest loans for fodder and fertiliser, he said. Mr Tarzia criticised the government on hospital ramping, which was "worse than ever" and broken promises on a $600 million hydrogen plant was shelved to help fund the Whyalla steelworks package. Grants of $150,000 for GP clinics to offer after-hours services, stamp duty relief for first homebuyers and support for drought-stricken farmers are central to a Liberal opposition's pitch for government. In the South Australian parliament on Tuesday, Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia responded to the Malinauskas government's June 5 budget, in a speech that was also a pitch to voters before the state election in March. The budget was "arrogant and visionless" and was filled with "spin, debt, broken promises and bad priorities", he said. "The cost of living is crushing, home ownership is slipping out of reach, our health system is under incredible pressure, crime is spiralling and our regions are in drought, desperate for support," Mr Tarzia said. Meanwhile, "Party Pete" was "riding the wave of event after event, often on the taxpayer dime", he said in reference to Premier Peter Malinauskas. "The likes of Sam Smith, Greg Norman, Katy Perry … that's where he's most comfortable," he said. Mr Tarzia announced a two-year trial to offer $150,000 grants to GP clinics to help cover the cost of opening until 8pm on weekdays and on Sundays. "We will abolish Labor's water bill price hike, we'll scrap Labor's GP payroll tax grab and we'll slash stamp duty for first homebuyers, including on existing homes," he said. First homebuyers purchasing an existing home of up to $1 million would not pay stamp duty, saving up to $48,000 in upfront costs, and the Liberals would also waive the $192 mortgage registration fee. Treasurer Stephen Mullighan's budget was headlined by a $395 million "law and order" package to fund hundreds of extra police officers, but existing commitments to big-ticket road and hospital projects and net debt of $35.5 billion, left it little room to move on big new investments. Mr Tarzia said the government's $73 million drought package provided "little relief" to farmers and regional communities doing it tough. "So far, their response has been nothing but disgraceful," he said. The government needed to create a drought hardship registry, fast-track relief with targeted rebates, subsidise water carting and deliver low or no interest loans for fodder and fertiliser, he said. Mr Tarzia criticised the government on hospital ramping, which was "worse than ever" and broken promises on a $600 million hydrogen plant was shelved to help fund the Whyalla steelworks package. Grants of $150,000 for GP clinics to offer after-hours services, stamp duty relief for first homebuyers and support for drought-stricken farmers are central to a Liberal opposition's pitch for government. In the South Australian parliament on Tuesday, Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia responded to the Malinauskas government's June 5 budget, in a speech that was also a pitch to voters before the state election in March. The budget was "arrogant and visionless" and was filled with "spin, debt, broken promises and bad priorities", he said. "The cost of living is crushing, home ownership is slipping out of reach, our health system is under incredible pressure, crime is spiralling and our regions are in drought, desperate for support," Mr Tarzia said. Meanwhile, "Party Pete" was "riding the wave of event after event, often on the taxpayer dime", he said in reference to Premier Peter Malinauskas. "The likes of Sam Smith, Greg Norman, Katy Perry … that's where he's most comfortable," he said. Mr Tarzia announced a two-year trial to offer $150,000 grants to GP clinics to help cover the cost of opening until 8pm on weekdays and on Sundays. "We will abolish Labor's water bill price hike, we'll scrap Labor's GP payroll tax grab and we'll slash stamp duty for first homebuyers, including on existing homes," he said. First homebuyers purchasing an existing home of up to $1 million would not pay stamp duty, saving up to $48,000 in upfront costs, and the Liberals would also waive the $192 mortgage registration fee. Treasurer Stephen Mullighan's budget was headlined by a $395 million "law and order" package to fund hundreds of extra police officers, but existing commitments to big-ticket road and hospital projects and net debt of $35.5 billion, left it little room to move on big new investments. Mr Tarzia said the government's $73 million drought package provided "little relief" to farmers and regional communities doing it tough. "So far, their response has been nothing but disgraceful," he said. The government needed to create a drought hardship registry, fast-track relief with targeted rebates, subsidise water carting and deliver low or no interest loans for fodder and fertiliser, he said. Mr Tarzia criticised the government on hospital ramping, which was "worse than ever" and broken promises on a $600 million hydrogen plant was shelved to help fund the Whyalla steelworks package. Grants of $150,000 for GP clinics to offer after-hours services, stamp duty relief for first homebuyers and support for drought-stricken farmers are central to a Liberal opposition's pitch for government. In the South Australian parliament on Tuesday, Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia responded to the Malinauskas government's June 5 budget, in a speech that was also a pitch to voters before the state election in March. The budget was "arrogant and visionless" and was filled with "spin, debt, broken promises and bad priorities", he said. "The cost of living is crushing, home ownership is slipping out of reach, our health system is under incredible pressure, crime is spiralling and our regions are in drought, desperate for support," Mr Tarzia said. Meanwhile, "Party Pete" was "riding the wave of event after event, often on the taxpayer dime", he said in reference to Premier Peter Malinauskas. "The likes of Sam Smith, Greg Norman, Katy Perry … that's where he's most comfortable," he said. Mr Tarzia announced a two-year trial to offer $150,000 grants to GP clinics to help cover the cost of opening until 8pm on weekdays and on Sundays. "We will abolish Labor's water bill price hike, we'll scrap Labor's GP payroll tax grab and we'll slash stamp duty for first homebuyers, including on existing homes," he said. First homebuyers purchasing an existing home of up to $1 million would not pay stamp duty, saving up to $48,000 in upfront costs, and the Liberals would also waive the $192 mortgage registration fee. Treasurer Stephen Mullighan's budget was headlined by a $395 million "law and order" package to fund hundreds of extra police officers, but existing commitments to big-ticket road and hospital projects and net debt of $35.5 billion, left it little room to move on big new investments. Mr Tarzia said the government's $73 million drought package provided "little relief" to farmers and regional communities doing it tough. "So far, their response has been nothing but disgraceful," he said. The government needed to create a drought hardship registry, fast-track relief with targeted rebates, subsidise water carting and deliver low or no interest loans for fodder and fertiliser, he said. Mr Tarzia criticised the government on hospital ramping, which was "worse than ever" and broken promises on a $600 million hydrogen plant was shelved to help fund the Whyalla steelworks package.
Perth Now
17-06-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
After-hours GPs, tax relief pitch in budget reply
Grants of $150,000 for GP clinics to offer after-hours services, stamp duty relief for first homebuyers and support for drought-stricken farmers are central to a Liberal opposition's pitch for government. In the South Australian parliament on Tuesday, Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia responded to the Malinauskas government's June 5 budget, in a speech that was also a pitch to voters before the state election in March. The budget was "arrogant and visionless" and was filled with "spin, debt, broken promises and bad priorities", he said. "The cost of living is crushing, home ownership is slipping out of reach, our health system is under incredible pressure, crime is spiralling and our regions are in drought, desperate for support," Mr Tarzia said. Meanwhile, "Party Pete" was "riding the wave of event after event, often on the taxpayer dime", he said in reference to Premier Peter Malinauskas. "The likes of Sam Smith, Greg Norman, Katy Perry … that's where he's most comfortable," he said. Mr Tarzia announced a two-year trial to offer $150,000 grants to GP clinics to help cover the cost of opening until 8pm on weekdays and on Sundays. "We will abolish Labor's water bill price hike, we'll scrap Labor's GP payroll tax grab and we'll slash stamp duty for first homebuyers, including on existing homes," he said. First homebuyers purchasing an existing home of up to $1 million would not pay stamp duty, saving up to $48,000 in upfront costs, and the Liberals would also waive the $192 mortgage registration fee. Treasurer Stephen Mullighan's budget was headlined by a $395 million "law and order" package to fund hundreds of extra police officers, but existing commitments to big-ticket road and hospital projects and net debt of $35.5 billion, left it little room to move on big new investments. Mr Tarzia said the government's $73 million drought package provided "little relief" to farmers and regional communities doing it tough. "So far, their response has been nothing but disgraceful," he said. The government needed to create a drought hardship registry, fast-track relief with targeted rebates, subsidise water carting and deliver low or no interest loans for fodder and fertiliser, he said. Mr Tarzia criticised the government on hospital ramping, which was "worse than ever" and broken promises on a $600 million hydrogen plant was shelved to help fund the Whyalla steelworks package.
7NEWS
16-06-2025
- Business
- 7NEWS
Mike Smithson: SA Liberal leader Vincent Tarzia facing the most important week of his political career with stamp duty pledge
SA Liberal leader Vincent Tarzia is facing the most important week of his political career. His budget response speech will be minutely scrutinised this week as an early indication of him having the right stuff to lead the state after the general election next March. The Libs have finally gone on the front foot after a seeming endless policy vacuum with their chances of victory still at such long odds. But they've now opened the door with an ambitious pledge to cut stamp duty for first home buyers on any property, new or existing, up to $1 million. 'The Liberals are for lower taxes for hardworking South Australians,' Tarzia told ABC radio. 'Helping people get into the housing market, who're taking 12 years to save for a deposit, is part of this ambitious new policy,' he said. It seems all good on paper with an estimated saving of $50,000 for any struggling home buyer coping with a $1million debt. So, what's the catch? The Opposition concedes its plan will cost the SA Budget $100 million in lost stamp duty revenue. The Government has done its sums and estimates it's more likely to be $130 million. Treasurer Stephen Mullighan had a moment of hesitation when describing Vincent Tarzia's housing blueprint. 'Mr Tarzia is talking out of his…hat,' Mullighan claimed with an emphasised timely pause. 'It will benefit the vendor driving up the demand for homes and making buyers worse off,' he said. 'He's (Tarzia) happy to forego the revenue for an even high state debt.' With SA's projected debt to hit $48 billion by 2028 every dollar of conceded revenue is obviously a problem for the Treasurer. The Liberals are confident that 5,000 new home buyers would take up the offer but couldn't provide any conclusive independent analysis. 'The government is piling in the cash and they're banking millions,' according to Tarzia. Both sides are claiming the high moral ground when it comes to battlers in the marketplace. The Government already offers stamp duty relief for new builds and has also opened vast tracts of land in the outer suburbs. It also boasts urban infill in areas closer to the CBD for those who want to live nearer to the city but on smaller allotments. The Libs see their promise will appeal to more young people wanting to buy established homes just around the corner from mum and dad. Some of Tarzia's critics say he's only appealing to a small potential supporter base who currently don't own homes. The counter argument is that many of those voters have parents and grandparents who are desperately worried about their offspring ever being able to break into the real estate market. Those older swinging voters may be ripe for the picking on political perceptions alone. The government needs to be careful in dismissing the Libs' plan as ridiculous. I'm increasingly convinced that Labor thinks it has the next election already won. Most pundits in South Australia are also firmly of that view. But policies create chatter which, in turn, send growing ripples across the political pond. The Libs still have a raft of ideas to announce, but Tarzia's next task is to perform a showman-like presentation during his budget reply speech. If he falters there, vital momentum is guaranteed to be lost.
