The federal Senate is set to launch an inquiry into the catastrophic algal bloom off South Australia’s coast, as the Greens warn that the crisis could foreshadow similar disasters nationwide. A motion co-sponsored by Labor senator Karen Grogan, Liberal Andrew McLachlan, and Nationals senator Ross Cadell is expected to be moved on Wednesday, calling on the Environment and Communications References Committee to investigate the event.
The inquiry, with a report deadline of 28 October, will examine water quality, tourism impacts, ecosystem health, effects on Indigenous communities, fisheries, and the responses of both state and federal governments. It will also assess research, monitoring, and prevention strategies for such blooms, which have caused mass mortality among marine species.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has described the bloom as a “natural disaster”, despite federal Environment Minister Murray Watt declining to declare it as such under national definitions. Watt announced a $14m assistance package on Monday, but Malinauskas stressed the scale of the event, noting over 400 species and more than 13,800 animals have been killed, with experts warning the true toll is likely far higher.
Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young, representing South Australia, criticised the federal response as a “down payment” and called for a formal emergency declaration. “It’s Adelaide beaches today, but it could be Bondi tomorrow,” she said, vowing to introduce a private member’s bill for a “climate trigger” under environmental laws. The Greens are also pushing for a parliamentary inquiry into the disaster.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended the timing of federal funding, stating it was appropriate since the event is occurring “primarily in state waters”. He stressed the importance of a coordinated response, though opposition parties argue more urgent action is needed to address the unprecedented environmental and economic fallout.
