Koutsantonis calls on Tarzia to apologise over Pangallo’s “reckless” algal bloom posts

South Australian Infrastructure and Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis has called connected Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia to apologise for his party’s “alarmist and misleading” commentary connected the state’s harmful algal bloom outbreak, warning it is putting coastal businesses astatine risk.

The request follows a bid of κοινωνικά media posts by Liberal campaigner Frank Pangallo comparing the algal bloom to the planetary COVID-19 pandemic, which claimed much than 7 cardinal lives worldwide.

In 1 post, Pangallo claimed, “It was safer during COVID,” and shared an A.I.-generated representation depicting a formation with blood-red water and a “toxic” sign, emblazoned with the slogan: “Fact: Going to the formation was safer during COVID.”

Pangallo besides asserted that walking dogs on South Australian beaches was present “too risky” and complained astir “taking a swim successful a oversea of stinking rotting creatures.”

The posts travel lone weeks aft Pangallo was forced to apologise for antecedently utilizing A.I. to spread mendacious accusation astir the bloom.

Koutsantonis described the latest remarks arsenic “beyond the pale.”

“Wild, alarmist claims comparing the algal bloom outbreak to a planetary pandemic which claimed millions of quality lives are incredibly damaging to hard-working section businesses, which beryllium upon coastal tourism for their livelihoods,” helium said.

“How tin Vincent Tarzia endorse this benignant of reckless κοινωνικά media posting? He either endorses his star candidate’s outrageous claims, oregon helium has simply mislaid power of his party. If it’s the former, helium should apologise and sack Frank Pangallo. If it’s the latter, helium should resign.”

The Minister said the Liberals’ misinformation run was straight undermining assurance successful the state’s coastal communities, contempt technological proposal that beaches stay harmless when monitored appropriately.

His comments were echoed by Labor MP Lucy Hood, who warned that “inaccurate and antagonistic perceptions astir the grade of the harmful algal bloom are perchance much damaging than the bloom itself.”

“We are backing our technological proposal and person released a broad suite of measures together with the Albanese Government under the $102.5 cardinal Algal Bloom Summer Plan to support South Australia’s coast, backmost coastal communities and support our summertime lifestyle,” Hood said.

“Meanwhile, the Liberals simply station A.I.-generated memes successful a bid to thrust radical distant from beaches and coastal businesses.”

The Albanese and Malinauskas governments announced the $102.5 cardinal program this week, aimed astatine advancing research, protecting the marine environment, and supporting determination economies affected by the bloom.

Koutsantonis said it was “grossly irresponsible” for elder Liberal figures to proceed spreading fear.

“South Australians merit amended than an Opposition actively working to undermine coastal businesses and communities,” helium said.

The posts besides appeared to contradict comments from Pangallo’s Liberal colleague, coastal MP David Basham, who told FIVEaa that it was important to “rely connected the science” and guarantee radical “have the assurance to spell when it is safe.”