House of Assembly Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2) 51 2 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Question Time Murray River Irrigators MURRAY RIVER IRRIGATORS Mr WILLIAMS House of Assembly MacKillop MURRAY RIVER IRRIGATORS Mr WILLIAMS (MacKillop) (14:51): My question is for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. Members interjecting: Mr WILLIAMS House of Assembly Mr WILLIAMS: You guys might think this is funny, but there are some serious things going on out there. The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order! The member for MacKillop will get on with it. Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: The Deputy Premier and the Premier will come to order! Mr WILLIAMS House of Assembly Mr WILLIAMS: I am concerned about Riverland horticulturalists going broke, Kevin. Has the minister had his department investigate the capacity of Murray River irrigators to again purchase temporary water in the new water season to keep their permanent plantings alive? Murray irrigators have informed the opposition that, during the current water season, an amount of between $75 and $100 million has been spent on temporary water purchases, money which has undermined their equity. They now question their ability to again fund such purchases. The Hon. R.J. McEWEN House of Assembly Mount Gambier Minister for Agriculture Minister for Forests The Hon. R.J. McEWEN (Mount Gambier—Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests) (14:52): I am wondering, Mr Speaker, with your indulgence, whether the member could further explain the question. The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: As I understand it the question was: has the minister asked his department to investigate the capacity of people to purchase water? I think that is the question. The Hon. R.J. McEWEN House of Assembly The Hon. R.J. McEWEN: That is why I asked for further explanation because the obvious answer to that question is: of course, that is our responsibility.