00:00At a parliamentary committee, those leading SA's algal bloom response kept coming back
00:08to this.
00:09I could not see how desal plants could really create the bloom.
00:16In response to new Liberal recruit Frank Pangelo raising reports more than a decade
00:20old suggesting a link between desalination plants and harmful algal blooms.
00:26They also took aim at the Environmental Protection Authority whose monitoring has found no connection.
00:31It doesn't know what they're talking about, they don't do their own research, we haven't
00:36seen results of any monitoring that's been done.
00:40The EPA says all results are on its website and it holds itself to the highest scientific
00:45standard.
00:46We've got confidence in saying that the LA desal plant, there's no credible scientific evidence
00:53to suggest it's got anything to do with this harmful algal bloom.
00:56I have no patience for people in positions of power who choose to ignore science.
01:02As an independent, Frank Pangelo often went it alone, weighing in with his own policies
01:07and opinions on a range of issues.
01:10Now that he's accountable to a major party, the government has an opportunity to wedge the
01:14opposition, putting the question to Liberal leadership, are Mr Pangelo's views, in line
01:19with the parties.
01:20The department head came under criticism for his response when asked about a JobKeeper scheme,
01:25similar to that rolled out during COVID, for fishers left without work.
01:29I thought if they are not working and they are unemployed, they can always apply through
01:34the Commonwealth system.
01:36For the Dole?
01:37For the Dole.
01:38It is really a tone deaf suggestion and one that I think industry will be incredibly disappointed
01:46with an industry on its knees as the disaster drags on.
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