Finniss MP David Basham has rejected comments made by the Premier in State Parliament that questioned his leadership and commitment to the southern Fleurieu community during the harmful algal bloom crisis.

The Shadow Minister for Environment and Water says the comments were made during Question Time last Wednesday 11 November in response to a question about the state government’s handling of the natural disaster.

This follows release of a Senate inquiry report that found the state government was unprepared for the harmful algal bloom due to a lack of long-term ecological monitoring.

Mr Basham says the Premier attacked his character rather than addressing the substance of the question in a manner that was, “false, unnecessary and deeply disrespectful to the people of Finniss.”

He says the attack was not just aimed at him, “it was an attack on the genuine concerns raised by businesses, councils and residents along our coastline.

“To suggest that I somehow failed my community is simply untrue. Every question I ask in the Parliament comes directly from the people I represent—and to dismiss those concerns is insulting to my constituents.”

Mr Basham says the Premier misrepresented his actions from March to June, the critical early months of the Karenia cristata bloom, ignoring the record of engagement undertaken from the moment the bloom was identified.

“From day one, my office sought information, shared government health advice publicly, and offered bipartisanship to the Minister for Environment and the Minister for Health,” he says.

“On 17 March, the very first week of the bloom being identified, I requested a health briefing and immediately conveyed that information to the community.”

Mr Basham also highlights that he raised the issue formally in Parliament on 3 April and continued to share government agency updates throughout March, April and beyond.

“The Premier claimed I wasn’t raising concerns—but the record shows otherwise,” he says.

He says politics should never get in the way of keeping communities informed during an environmental crisis.

“My community deserves facts, transparency and timely information—not partisan point-scoring.

“The harmful algal bloom deeply affected local fishers, tourism operators and coastal residents. My sole focus has been getting them answers and support.”

Mr Basham says he will publish a full chronology of his actions on his website. 

“The Premier may wish to rewrite history, but the people of the Fleurieu know exactly how hard I have been working for them.”

The State Liberal Party has announced a $30 million election commitment as a first step towards a Save Our Seas plan to guarantee additional investment in shellfish reefs.

It says the marine habitat restoration project will establish an additional 50 hectares of limestone shellfish reefs along South Australia’s coastline and is calling on the federal government to immediately fund an additional 200 hectares of large-scale shellfish reefs to support long term marine ecosystem resilience. 

A South Australian Parliamentary inquiry into the harmful algal bloom is continuing.

The state election will be held on 21 March 2026.