Amanda Rishworth (Kingston, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The South Australian coastline is one of the most beautiful coastlines, if not the most beautiful coastline, in the world. In my electorate of Kingston, I have kilometres of beautiful beach, from Hallett Cove to Port Noarlunga and all the way down to Maslin Beach. It's a beautiful piece of coastline, and I was really pleased to gather with many residents to open the new Witton Bluff walking trail on the weekend. This was the result of a long-term campaign over decades to connect the townships of Christies Beach and Port Noarlunga with a beautiful walkway. We campaigned for it along with local members, councillors, residents and businesses, and it was great to be at the opening on Saturday.

The beautiful South Australian coastline is experiencing challenges at the moment with the harmful algal bloom that has broken out across the shoreline. This is having a significant impact, and I want to acknowledge the distress felt by many people in my local area at the sight of fish and other marine life washed up on the beaches. It's a place that we all like to go to and all like to enjoy, and it is important that we all work together to tackle what we can. Of course, nothing can be done to stop this bloom, but we can respond to it.

That's exactly what's being done in a partnership between the state government and the federal government, with investment in science, research and, importantly, monitoring. There is also support for businesses that have been affected. Businesses have been affected not just by the outbreak of the algal bloom but by the perception that it's not safe to swim at South Australian beaches. So there is funding now available for businesses that are affected—tourism businesses as well as other businesses. I have a really important message. If you've been thinking about coming to enjoy the coast, the coast in South Australia is calling. Come down and enjoy it. There are some wonderful businesses and wonderful experiences. Please don't be deterred as we go towards the third-term school holidays. Don't be deterred to get out there.

In addition, I am very pleased the federal government continues to invest in our local area. We have money to build the new Port Noarlunga aquatics centre. It's a really important thing. Through this investment, we were able to stop that pool from being closed. I will continue fighting for the beautiful environment that we have but also for the wonderful place that is the southern suburbs of Adelaide.