HOUSING SA

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:23): Will the Minister for Housing explain why a garden watering system has been installed on a multiple dwelling Housing SA property on Greenhill Road, Eastwood, when water restrictions are in place prohibiting the use of sprinklers and at a time when the government refuses to provide individual water meters to tenants?

I attended a 20-unit Housing SA property at Greenhill Road last week to view a new electronic watering system that has been installed in the front garden. It is a sprinkler system. I was informed by one of the tenants that they advised the Housing SA maintenance workers that the watering system leaked and, notwithstanding that, they proceeded with the installation and placed a bark chip enhancement along Greenhill Road. The tenant then complained that he and other tenants had not been provided with individual water meters and he was concerned that people living alone would have to pay for large families living in other units.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Minister for Families and Communities, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Housing, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability, Minister Assisting the Premier in Cabinet Business and Public Sector Management) (15:24): I think I have heard it all. We now have a complaint about the upgrade of Housing Trust property by the tenants. I do not know whether this is a complaint about shared water meters—if it is, why does the deputy leader just not ask about it—or a complaint about the fact that Housing SA is presumably doing much-needed upgrades to Housing SA property. It is a bit hard to follow this question. If it is about infrastructure improvements to Housing SA properties, what on earth is the member complaining about?

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order!

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Presumably, a sprinkler—

Members interjecting:

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The Minister for Housing does not have a loud voice today, and I am having difficulty hearing him. When the house comes to order, I will invite the minister to resume.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: I will make some inquiries about this appalling travesty that we visited upon this community by seeking to upgrade their property—

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, the deputy leader!

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: —with a new electronic watering system. I will obtain an answer about that and bring it back to the house.