DESALINATION PLANT

In reply to Mr WHETSTONE (Chaffey) (2 July 2013).

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation): As the Minister for Water and the River Murray I have received this advice:

The South Australian government is not required to hand over six gigalitres to the commonwealth as part of the Implementation Plan for the Augmentation of the Adelaide Desalination Plant.

The South Australian government has met its commitment by purchasing two gigalitres of water access entitlement in 2011-12 and four gigalitres in 2012-13. This water will be managed by the South Australian government for environmental purposes in South Australia's section of the River Murray.