The Hon. Nicola Centofanti, Shadow Minister for Primary Industries and Committee Member, Media Release, 19 February 2026

The Parliamentary Committee into the State’s algal bloom crisis has been unable to reach a consensus, with Labor members blocking the Committee including its findings in the formal report.

The Committee was forced to publish multiple dissenting reports, from the Liberal team and Committee Chair, Greens MLC Rob Simms.

The two dissenting statements are closely aligned in outlining the Committee’s findings, based on the evidence provided by departments, community groups, scientists and those impacted by the crisis.

The findings include:

• The State Government was slow to respond in the initial stages of the bloom
• Community concerns not adequately addressed
• A lack of confidence in the Government’s response
• Significant gaps in coordination across government
• Failure to declare the bloom a state or national emergency
• Delays in public communication
• Issues with data collection including a lack of baseline data

Shadow Minister for Primary Industries and Committee Member, Nicola Centofanti, said the fact there are multiple dissenting reports speaks volumes.

“The Labor Government’s default position is always ‘nothing to see here’ when it comes to the toxic algal bloom and South Australians are fed up with it,” Dr Centofanti said.

“Labor clearly did not want criticism or accountability reflected in the final report, despite the weight of evidence pointing to serious gaps in monitoring, communication and preparedness.

“This event has had serious and far-reaching consequences for commercial fishers, aquaculture operators, tourism businesses, coastal communities and families who rely on healthy waters for their livelihoods and way of life.

“They were brave enough to share their experience and it is an insult to them that Labor has refused to publish the findings of the Committee.”

The Committee made a number of recommendations, including reviews of disaster assistance arrangements, emergency management planning for ecological disasters, long-term monitoring, and ensuring ongoing research and remediation funding.

The Liberal dissenting report includes an additional recommendation that a Royal Commission be held into the bloom.

“Labor’s contempt of the Parliamentary committee process proves the only way we will get any transparency is through a truly independent inquiry,” Dr Centofanti said.

“South Australians deserve a government that acts decisively when environmental and economic emergencies strike – not one that downplays the crisis and avoids scrutiny.”

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