Dr WOODRUFF (Franklin – Leader of the Greens) – Honourable Speaker, I move –
That the House take note of the following matter: marine environment.
It is with deep concern that we are watching what appears to be a tipping to collapse in the marine environment, at least in South Australia, and very strong warning signals of something similar happening here in Tasmania. It is on the back, as of the current circumstances, a paralytic shellfish poisoning event that is now unfolding moving from Boomer Bay all the way down to, the latest information we have today, is the western side of Bruny Island, which means the D’Entrecasteaux Channel area and all the people that live in those areas.
It is on the back of jellyfish, salp and algal tides that we have seen in the south-east of Tasmania over the summer period, and following millions of dead salmon that were killed by a bacteria that was formerly exotic to the area but is now endemic. It is an unprecedented mass salmon mortality event and the amount of antibiotics that have been put into the water along with the nutrients, the pollution from salmon farming has made a dramatic impact on the health of the southern Tasmanian waters.
We know that the warning was first made on 8 May of paralytic shellfish poisoning at Boomer Bay. There was only a Facebook post from the Department of Health with a link to their website to make such a serious announcement. They shut down the commercial shellfish industry in the area. The next instance that we heard about this potentially deadly health risk was from the Chief Veterinary Officer, Mr de Witte, when he was interviewed about pilchard deaths that also occurred in a very unusual and unprecedented fashion observed in Sandy Bay. The EPA had said that they considered that these pilchard deaths were the result of Pilchard orthomyxovirus (POMV), a virus, but the Chief Veterinary Officer said that it was more likely in his opinion that they were the result of a toxic algal bloom.
We know that paralytic shellfish poisoning has now widened to the Mercury Passage from Boomer Bay to the east and the west sides of Bruny. What we have seen in South Australia is incredibly concerning in what it tells us could be happening or is on the verge of happening here in Tasmania. More than 200 different species of marine life have been killed in South Australia since toxic algal bloom Karenia mikimotoi began in March. It has been described as a marine horror movie. The ongoing impacts to human health from the toxic algae there include flu‑like symptoms, coughing and vision problems.
There has been a targeted response for community organisations, citizen scientists, Ausfish and First Nations groups to document the impacts of the toxin, including the extent, the number and the type of species that have been killed so far. South Australian Health has stepped in and provided advice and resources to GPs to help patients suffering from illnesses from the algal balloon. There has been state and national media attention in South Australia, community forums and events to educate the public on the algae and to help the community recover from this event. There is a lot more that needs to happen in South Australia, but this should be a warning to the South Australian government to direct funds into research and the on-ground efforts to research and restore South Australia’s marine environment from this deadly disaster.
Contrast this to the response that we just heard this morning from the Minister for the Environment. We do not know if it is the same toxic algal bloom as is happening in South Australia, but the point is: we do not know, because none of these questions are being asked. It is pretty clear from the minister’s comments this morning that there is a reason why this minister does not get asked questions about the environment. Firstly, because she is barely capable of undertaking the minimum tasks that are required of her. Secondly, she always flicks the questions to other ministers saying, ‘It is not my responsibility, it is the marine environment.’ This minister is responsible for coordinating –
Ms Ogilvie – Point of order, Speaker.
DEPUTY SPEAKER – Sorry, Leader of the Greens, there is a point of order.
Dr WOODRUFF – What is the point of order?
DEPUTY SPEAKER – We have not heard it yet.
Ms OGILVIE – That is completely untrue.
Dr WOODRUFF – That is not a point of order.
Ms OGILVIE – You do not ask me questions. I do not flick them, because you do not ask the questions. I have had two questions from you. Ridiculous.
Dr WOODRUFF – This minister is responsible for three government agencies and coordinating their response of health, environment and biosecurity. What she is doing is nothing. Rather than providing support for the community who are reeling from seeing their beaches covered with the remains of dead salmon and sardines, who have been looking out from their fishing boats into waters, we have nothing. This is a serious crisis, a serious risk to human health in the marine environment. It is like getting blood out of a stone from this minister about the salmon disaster.
Time expired.
Dr Woodruff – The community wants answers and they demand action.
