MOUNT BOLD RESERVOIR

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite—Leader of the Opposition) (14:51): I have a supplementary question. Do I take it from the minister's reply to that question that she will definitely proceed with Mount Bold in addition to other catchments, or that the government may consider not proceeding with Mount Bold and expand other catchments instead?

The Hon. K.A. MAYWALD (Chaffey—Minister for the River Murray, Minister for Water Security, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Small Business, Minister Assisting the Minister for Industry and Trade) (14:52): I think that I will use the method used by the Minister for Health—repetition: it is important here. The government is actually continuing its investigations into Mount Bold, and they include geotechnical investigations, and we are undertaking a feasibility study. We announced that we are undertaking that work. Yes, we did! We actually announced last year that we are undertaking work into the feasibility of Mount Bold. We did! And we have also subsequently announced time and again in all of our statements—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. K.A. MAYWALD: It is amazing that the opposition has only just woken up and said, 'Oh, goodness! Is that what they meant?' Perhaps opposition members should read the information coming out from the government and they might get an understanding about what is going on. We need to double the capacity in the Mount Lofty Ranges.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. K.A. MAYWALD: We need to double the capacity in the Mount Lofty Ranges. I will say it again for you: we need to double the capacity in the Mount Lofty Ranges. That is what we need to do. I think you have got it.

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: On a point of order, I cannot hear what the minister is saying. They would be better educated if they listened.

The SPEAKER: Yes, I am having difficulty hearing what the minister is saying myself. Members of my left will come to order. The Minister for Water Security.

The Hon. K.A. MAYWALD: One of the projects that we may proceed with to achieve that is the Mount Bold reservoir expansion and we are now investigating the geotechnical and environmental aspects. Money was put in the budget last year.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. K.A. MAYWALD: This is no new news.

The SPEAKER: Order! I have already called members on my left to order. If they do not like what the minister is saying, they have plenty of opportunity to respond and ask further questions. They need to do so in an orderly manner.

The Hon. K.A. MAYWALD: There is absolutely is no new news in this; it is just that the opposition is catching up with the government.