List of recommendations

Recommendation 1

8.12The committee recommends the Australian Government show leadership by developing a fit for purpose framework for research, monitoring and responses to climate induced, slow-onset and significant ecological events such as harmful algal blooms.

Recommendation 2

8.19The committee recommends the Australian Government consider reviewing and expanding arrangements for a new definition for declaring how climate induced, slow-onset and significant ecological events could be incorporated into a broader national framework.

Recommendation 3

8.20The committee recommends the Australian Government defines the roles of the Commonwealth, states and territories and local governments throughout the management and response of climate induced, slow-onset and significant ecological events such as harmful algal blooms.

Recommendation 4

8.28The committee recommends that the Australian Government consider sustained funding for long-term oceanographic and algal bloom-specific research and monitoring programs at the national level, including through the utilisation of the Office for Algal Bloom Research in South Australia.

Recommendation 5

8.34The committee recommends that the Australian Government consider options for substantial funding to be directed to projects that deliver large-scale, long-term marine ecosystem restoration and resilience including meaningful reef restoration along the South Australian coastline.

Recommendation 6

8.36The committee recommends that the Australian Government considers investing funds towards the Southern Ocean Discovery Centre for the establishment of a world-class marine education, research, and tourism hub in South Australia.

Recommendation 7

8.47The committee recommends that the Australian Government and South Australian Government evaluate the current investment towards community resilience programs and mental health support services and explore continued or further investment as required for communities impacted by the toxic algal bloom.

Recommendation 8

8.48The committee recommends that the South Australian Government provides timely, clear and scientifically informed public health advice.

Recommendation 9

8.49The committee notes the current investment to supporting coastal communities and recommends that the Australian Government consider allocation of joint funding for community financial support, which could be delivered through local governments as untied grants.

Recommendation 10

8.57The committee recommends that the Australian Government consider how it can support work with the South Australian Government on long-term resilience and recovery programs for marine-related industries and sectors affected by the harmful algal bloom including fishing and tourism, in concert with industry. This could include exploring:

a targeted income support program, akin to Job Keeper, for impacted businesses;

a voluntary lease or buyback scheme for fishing licences, to provide individuals and businesses the opportunity to remain in or exit the industry; and

a tourism recovery fund to support public information campaigns and promotional efforts to rebuild SA’s tourism reputation, drive visitation, and support nature-based and marine businesses as they recover.

Recommendation 11

8.58The committee recommends the Australian Government finalises and brings forward the legislative instruments (or amendments, if required) necessary to ensure eligibility for wild catch fisheries and affected marine businesses under the Regional Investment Corporation Fund. These need to be tabled for consideration without further delay.

Recommendation 12

8.59The committee recommends the Australian Government, through the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, support the South Australian Government in conducting research and monitoring of fish stocks during and following fishing restrictions, and undertake a comprehensive impact analysis of fishing in the Gulf St Vincent. This analysis should assess the ecological, social, and economic implications to inform appropriate financial support for affected communities and guide the recovery of local ecosystems and fish stocks.

Recommendation 13

8.63The committee recommends that the Australian Government consider establishing a dedicated Local Government Resilience Fund to provide ongoing and flexible financial assistance to support local councils in responding to climate induced and slow-onset and significant ecological events.

Recommendation 14

8.69The committee recommends that the Australian Government consider First Nation leadership and cultural knowledge in all aspects of recovery and management, including:

integrating first nation scientific knowledge into marine monitoring and restoration programs;

providing dedicated funding for recovery and business support for impacted First Nation enterprises;

ensuring that First Nation expertise in land and sea management is sought where these issues affect cultural knowledge and practice; and

expanding and resourcing Indigenous ranger and sea country programs in affected coastal regions, with roles for First Nation representatives in the new Office for Algal Bloom Research.