SENATOR ROSS CADELL
Shadow Minister for Fisheries and Forestry
Shadow Minister for Emergency Management
Shadow Minister for Water
Federal Nationals Senator for NSW
Coastal communities decimated by a growing algal bloom on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula will have the chance for their voice to be heard after a Coalition led push for a Senate Inquiry drew bipartisan support on Wednesday.
Federal Nationals Senator, and Shadow Minister for Water, Emergency Management, and Fisheries and Forestry, Ross Cadell, welcomed the support of Labor describing the need for an inquiry as “far beyond politics.”
“Whether it be flood, drought, bushfire, or algal bloom, our communities need support, not politics,” Cadell said.
“This inquiry will give us the chance to truly grasp the real-world impacts of this environmental disaster and assess whether the current disaster relief funding model is fit for purpose.
“Last week I walked the Ardrossan jetty with local member, Tom Venning, and was able to fully appreciate not just the environmental scale but economic impact of this disaster.
“In less than 48-hours, the local caravan park in Stansbury lost a dozen bookings for as far out as November. These are tourists choosing to take their money elsewhere at fear of not being able to enjoy the traditionally picture-perfect Yorke Peninsula coastline.
“The small businesses in these towns are hurting.
“From the local gift shop to the bakeries and pubs, through to the oyster farmers and commercial fisherman, they are all bearing the brunt of this disaster.
South Australian Senator Andrew McLachlan CSC, who was a co-signatory on the Notice of Motion, said he hoped the inquiry would bring about change in the way disaster relief funding was administered.
“Unfortunately, under the current disaster funding model next to none of these businesses would be eligible for Government support,” McLachlan said.
“If the system can’t support the people most affected then that should raise serious concerns that the current system cannot serve Australians in times of need.”
The Senate Inquiry is expected to hand down its report in late October.