Question Time

ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AUTHORITY

The Hon. G.M. GUNN (Stuart) (15:02): Can the Minister for Small Business justify an increase in EPA fees to small businesses which has increased from $1,180 to $26,350? The Wirrabara sawmill and treatment plant, a small business in my constituency—and may I say established in a very nice location up in the hills—has been advised by the EPA that the business has been inspected and approved. However, due to a new licence fee structure imposed by the regulations and effective from 1 July, it was obliged to pay the sum based on the amount and type of pollutants discharged, which has been assessed at 50 units and the fee is $527 per unit, which amounts to $26,350, which is approximately 40 per cent of its total income.

The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna—Minister for Health, Minister for the Southern Suburbs, Minister Assisting the Premier in the Arts) (15:02): I am happy to take this question on behalf of the Minister for Environment and Conservation. I will arrange for her to give a more complete answer but, as members would know, the EPA has changed the licensing arrangements, so we actually charge polluters for the amount of pollution that they create. Those businesses that do not pollute get a benefit from the arrangement. Those that do pollute pay more. I would have thought that the principle of the polluter pays would be supported by all members in this house.