‘He should get out of his ivory tower’: Vincent Tarzia livid over Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt’s SA algal bloom response

Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia has erupted over comments from the Federal Environment Minister, who claimed to be “well aware” of the algal bloom’s impact, despite not setting foot in the state since the crisis began.

Southern Fiddler Rays are washed up on Glenelg Beach. Photo by Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images.

Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt says the Albanese government will consider providing support for South Australia if asked to do so, as the state Liberals question why he has not visited the state since the algal bloom began wrecking havoc.

Senator Watt appeared on ABC Radio Adelaide on Friday morning, and said the two governments had been “working closely” for weeks.

When questioned on whether or not they had received a request for help from South Australia, he said one “may have” been sent.

Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations of Australia, Murray Watt. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“My understanding I just learned this morning is there may have been a request put in late yesterday for some form of assistance for the fishing industry,” he said.

“I haven’t yet got the details of that myself, that’s obviously not my portfolio.”

He went on to say that currently the bloom was within state jurisdiction.

“We need to recognise that the algal bloom is currently in state waters, within three nautical miles, so in that situation state government’s do have primary responsibility for managing and monitoring coastal waters.”

“From the discussions I’ve had, I know the South Australian government led by Susan Close is doing everything they possibly can.”

Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Senator Watt said he had not visited the state yet, but felt he had a grasp of the situation.

“I feel like I’m well aware of the situation down there and the seriousness of it,” he said.

Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia lashed the Environment Minister’s comments, saying he was “absolutely gobsmacked”.

“He should get out of his ivory tower in Queensland and get his arse down here to South Australia and see the decimation that is happening on our coastlines,” Mr Tarzia said at West Beach on Friday.

“It’s just not good enough.”

Mr Tarzia said he spent Friday morning talking with fishers on the Yorke Peninsula.

“These guys here are really anxious about their futures.”

“The Coorong could be killed at this point in time, this is how bad it’s getting.”

He then accused the government of “blame-shifting”, saying “where there’s a will, there’s a way”.

A Port Jackson Shark washes up on Glenelg Beach. Photo by Tracey Nearmy.

“We saw this in respect of Whyalla when we saw that jobs are on the line.”

“The federal government got together with the state government and they came up with a bailout package, and they came up with a suitable response.”

“We’re seeing fish that are dying, and we’re seeing a beach that is rotting right throughout our coastline.”

He also drew a comparison between the $500,000 package the government previously announced in licence fee relief, and the millions of dollars spent by the government on attracting major sporting events to the state.

“If only Peter Malinauskas cared about this gulf like he did LIV Golf.”

Originally published as ‘He should get out of his ivory tower’: Vincent Tarzia livid over Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt’s SA algal bloom response