Overview
- Estuarine ecologist Faith Coleman told a parliamentary committee that three public servants said they were asked to delay probing causes until after the March election, a claim she cannot substantiate.
- Premier Peter Malinauskas and Environment Minister Lucy Hood deny any directive and point to accelerated research supported by a $100 million summer plan.
- Department chief Rick Persse and other agency heads told the committee they have issued no such order, urged anyone with evidence to contact them, and said teams are under pressure to work faster.
- The committee scheduled an urgent sitting and opposition and Greens MPs called for a formal investigation into the allegation.
- Several beaches were declared clear after zero Karenia readings, yet some beachgoers report respiratory symptoms and say they no longer trust the Beachsafe app.