WATER BILLING

Mr WILLIAMS (MacKillop) (15:12): My question is for the Minister for Water Security. Minister, on what date did you personally become aware that the government's new three-tiered watering pricing system gazetted for commencement on 1 July 2008 would apply to water used in the previous financial year and how were you advised?

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) (15:12): I was advised by telephone on Saturday 19 July, according to my telephone records, at 5.05pm by the acting minister for water security. From the advice in my office, I was under the belief that they were coming into effect on 1 July. My media statements reflect that. I honestly believed they were coming in on 1 July; the government believed they were coming into effect on 1 July. When we found out that that was not the case, we have acted. We are changing the legislation and we are also issuing refunds; and we have also issued an apology to those SA Water customers who have been affected by this mix-up.