30 July 2025
The SA Government should impose a fossil fuel levy on polluting companies to pay for the damage from the toxic algal bloom crisis, according to the SA Greens.
The Greens will push for a State Parliamentary Inquiry when Parliament returns, amid protests at Santos headquarters in Adelaide this morning. The South Australian Government has conceded climate change is fuelling the algae crisis, but continues to subsidise and expand new fossil fuels mines in SA.
Robert Simms is Greens MLC in SA Parliament:
“It’s no wonder the community is angry. Companies like Santos make billions from the oil & gas which fuels toxic algae - but they pay little to no tax. That needs to change.
“We need a fossil fuel levy in SA to make polluters like Santos pay for the damage their products cause. It shouldn’t be up to everyday taxpayers to foot the bill.
“The Government has been slow to act on the algal crisis and Labor still has no long-term plan. When Parliament returns, I will move for a Parliamentary Inquiry to tackle the causes and deliver real solutions to the algal bloom crisis.
"We need to end fossil fuel subsidies and new mines. Minster Koutsantonis should cancel the tenders open right now for new fossil fuel mining in the Otway and Polda Basins."
Melanie Selwood is Lead Greens Candidate for the State Election:
“We need long term solutions, not just sugar hits.
“I’ve been travelling across the state and have heard from businesses and workers who have been hit hard.
“With only 8 months until the State Election the Greens will hold the Government to account on climate change and make sure they protect our environment into the future.”
Community sentiment was on full display in Adelaide this morning as protestors called for a fossil fuel levy, as reported by news.com.au.