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Game-changing testing for brevetoxins in shellfish will soon be able to be carried out at a new national testing facility in suburban Adelaide, fast tracking results for small businesses impacted by South Australia’s algal bloom.

As part of the $28 million algal bloom support package jointly funded with the Albanese Government, the Malinauskas Government has engaged local company Agilex Biolabs to develop the methodology to allow the testing for brevetoxins to be carried out at its Thebarton laboratory.

Whilst the vast majority of South Australia’s oyster industry is open and trading as usual, brevetoxins have been detected in shellfish in Australian waters for the first time, forcing the temporary closure of some harvesting areas.

Earlier this month, the state’s mussel industry was able to reopen for business following a reduction in brevetoxin levels in consecutive testing.

Currently, the testing performed by the South Australian Quality Assurance Program (SASQAP) results in samples to be sent to New Zealand for analysis, resulting in delays of up to a week.

The move to a new national testing in Adelaide will significantly reduce that delay, meaning businesses can more quickly return to normal once brevetoxins reduce to safe levels.

All commercially available seafood from South Australian waters is safe to eat.

The algal bloom support package includes:

• $10,000 Small Business Support Grants for eligible small businesses
• Grants of up to $100,000 for eligible impacted fisheries and aquaculture businesses
• Financial counselling, mental health support and workforce advice to assist small businesses impacted by the harmful algal bloom to develop recovery and continuity plans, understand the short and long-term implications, and help manage financial and mental wellbeing
• Coastal Monitoring Network – investing in expanded early detection and monitoring of harmful algal bloom species through real time sensors (buoys), satellite imagery and oceanographic modelling, with rapid detection of harmful algal blooms and early warning systems for industry
• Rapid assessment of fish stocks and fisheries to quantify impact
• Public forums and information campaigns
• A Community Fund to support activities and small projects in affected communities
• Beach clean-up funding

Further information on the algal bloom and support package is available at algalbloom.sa.gov.au

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“Australians love their seafood – and they also know some of the best comes from across South Australia.

“The ability to monitor and test for brevetoxins here in Adelaide will speed up the necessary processes to ensure food is safe and allow more shellfish on more plates more quickly.

“My Government is committed to working with the South Australian Government to mitigate the worst effects of this significant ecological event on industry and the environment.”

Premier Peter Malinauskas

“Australians can buy South Australian seafood with absolute confidence – knowing it is of the highest quality anywhere in the world.

“One of the reasons they can be assured is the testing of shellfish through the SASQAP program, and this investment we are making in partnership with the Albanese Government will deliver testing for brevetoxins right here in Adelaide.

“This new national facility will ensure test results can be turned around more quickly – meaning shellfish businesses which endure temporary closure can be back in business sooner when brevetoxin levels drop.

“In the interim, those businesses can apply for significant financial assistance, with grants that are significantly more generous than those on offer through the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The Minister for Families and Communities has confirmed in Budget Estimates Hearings today that the out of home care service provider that was subject of a forensic audit under Project Mareeba is Allambi Care. Out of home care service providers are responsible for ensuring vulnerable young people in NSW can be kept safe and secure where they cannot safely remain at home.

Greens MP and spokesperson for Youth Justice, Sue Higginson said:

“The report from Project Mareeba is sober reading, and the discovery that Allambi Care has engaged in the significant misuse of public money is a shocking revelation, but unsurprising. We have been watching the out of home care system outsourced, privatised and falling further into crisis for a long time now,”

“This provider receives some $70 million each year in public monies in order to provide care for some of the most vulnerable young people in NSW, this report reveals serious issues including a property investment scheme for senior employees that is profiting from money intended to support children,”

“Out of home care providers in NSW are a critical part of our program of supporting young people, there are many good providers that are compliant with the rules and who deliver critical services. It’s fundamental that organisations who are acting in bad faith are stopped and held to account,”

“I acknowledge that Minister Washington has been pursuing this much-needed greater oversight and is working to reform a system that was left in crisis by the former Coalition Government, but I am keen to hear how she will be ensuring that good faith organisations, particularly Aboriginal Controlled Community Organisations will not be punished for the wrongs committed by other providers. It is Aboriginal Controlled Community Organisations who are carrying the biggest load in this system because of the overrepresentation of First Nations children in the system,”

“This system needs to be accountable and safe, but we cannot allow critical services for vulnerable young people to be compromised by quick solutions that demand a one size fits all solution. This is a good step, but it’s just one of many,” Ms Higginson said.
For media contact: Dan Reid on 0421 926 233

Background:

Following the System Review into OOHC, the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) engaged KordaMentha Forensic to conduct a forensic audit on a particular non-government OOHC provider (a non-ACCO ‘not-for-profit’ receiving +$70 million per year) to investigate specific issues identified through the system review process. The forensic audit found various issues of non-compliance and misuse of funds, including:

• An unapproved financial scheme to personally benefit senior executives
• This provider established a government-funded property investment scheme for senior staff, including the CEO
• 12 properties have been purchased by senior executives, then rented back to the provider with a guaranteed 20% market premium, funded by the NSW OOHC program
• General ownership/upgrades/maintenance costs were then incorrectly charged to DCJ instead of the investment property owners, for example:
  • rates,
  • water charges,
  • storm water upgrades,
  • building repairs/upgrades immediately after the purchase of property but before use in the OOHC program, including replacing hot water systems, new air conditioning systems, new blinds, new carpet, floor repairs, painting the entire house.
• The provider has admitted these costs should have been borne by the property owners, but offered no explanation why OOHC funds were misused, instead.
• Significant undeclared financial conflicts of interest
• Unapproved subcontracting arrangements
• Instances where the provider did not provide the necessary information to support the audit or assess compliance
• The use of an accounting treatment that misrepresented the true financial position of the agency
• Provider has represented itself to be in ‘deficit,’ while they were likely in surplus
• Separately, $30 million in term-deposits were identified by the audit team

Australians should have the legal right to work from home at least two days a week where it is practical and reasonable, according to federal Greens spokesperson for employment and workplace relations Senator Barbara Pocock.

Under the new Greens policy, employers would be required to positively consider reasonable requests to work from home at least two days a week, provided working from home was not at odds with the inherent nature of a workers’ role. 

Flexible work arrangements, such as the ability to work from home, have enabled millions of workers, many of them women, to balance care responsibilities with paid work. Legislating the right to work from home, where it is sensible and doable, will not only protect women’s access to the labour market and economic equality gains, it will also increase workforce participation and ultimately boost productivity.

Greens Leader and spokesperson on Women, Larissa Waters

“The Prime Minister supports Victorian Labor Premier Jacinta Allen’s push for legislating work from home two days a week. Now he has a chance to work with the Greens in federal parliament to make this a reality for those Australians whose jobs it suits.

“We know that for millions of Australians, especially women, the ability to work from home provides the flexibility they need to balance work with the other important things in their lives, including care. Many men are also looking for this flexibility, and it will help them be more involved in care responsibilities, and reduce commute time and cost for workers everywhere.

“In the same way that the Greens worked with Labor to establish the very successful Right to Disconnect, we want to work together to establish a reasonable right to work from home that will increase productivity and flexibility in workplaces.

“Given that most workers in Australia are covered by federal workplace law, it makes sense to create this right at the national level. We need a sensible, national approach.

Australian Greens spokesperson for employment and workplace relations, Senator Barbara Pocock:

“Working from home is not possible in all roles but where it is practical, workers should have a reasonable right to work from home for up to a couple of days a week. They should not be at risk of having that right arbitrarily removed when it is working in practical ways that boost productivity and help workers. 

“Women shouldn’t have to give up their careers to have a family. By improving work from home rights, we’re protecting women’s rights to work while caring for their families. This isn’t just a win for women, workers and families, it’s a win for our economy.

“The ability to work from home has many benefits, not only for women and carers – it also reduces the time spent on commuting, improves work-life balance, increases emotional and physical wellbeing, and boosts workforce participation and productivity.

“The Productivity Commission has found that working from home not only reduces breaks and sick days, it can be less distracting than working on-site, which can lead to improved productivity. Similarly, OECD research shows that working from home—especially in hybrid models—can boost productivity and employee well-being, provided businesses invest in digital tools and smart management practices.

“The Greens want to see real improvements in the conditions and rights of Australian workers that reflects the modern workplaces of 2025 and beyond. The Prime Minister has already acknowledged the benefits of working from home. Now he has an opportunity to work with the Greens to enshri

At a time when dialogue and diplomacy are needed more than ever, the Netanyahu Government is isolating Israel and undermining international efforts towards peace and a two-state solution.

This is an unjustified reaction, following Australia’s decision to recognise Palestine.

We will continue to work with partners as we contribute international momentum to a two-state solution, a ceasefire in Gaza and release of the hostages.

Australia welcomes different races, religions and views, united by respect for each other’s humanity and for each other’s right to live in peace.

We safeguard our communities and protect all Australians from hate and harm.

The Australian Government will always take decisive action against antisemitism.