Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to rebuke this Albanese Labor government over its catastrophic mishandling of the algal bloom crisis in South Australia, which is a clear natural and national disaster. It's devastation—that's the only way I can describe it—for our precious South Australian marine ecosystems, for South Australian industries whose futures are on the line and for South Australian coastal communities. Labor have dithered and delayed; they've failed to act on this algal bloom.

While they have stepped back from South Australians, we have stepped forward, calling on Labor governments in Adelaide and Canberra to do more. And what have we seen from Labor in response? After months of distraction, all this prime minister could muster was a fly-in fly-out visit and just $6.25 million in new funding for South Australia. The Albanese government found $600 million for a rugby league team in Papua New Guinea but could only scrape together an additional $6 million in new funding. The Prime Minister couldn't even call the algal bloom a natural disaster. What a disgrace!

South Australian Labor members opposite should be held to account for failing their state and failing these communities. The coalition will not let this natural disaster be brushed aside. Prime Minister, you owe South Australians stronger action, more support and an apology in this parliament today.