WATER PRICING

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (14:28): Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr PEDERICK: My question is to the Minister for Water Security. Will the minister give a commitment about the increase of non-residential prices foreshadowed in Water for Good; will the prices be detailed in the December 2009 announcement of 2010-11 water prices; and will the government avoid scrutiny by delaying this announcement?

The Water for Good report released on Monday revealed that the government is planning to increase prices. The report states that the government will transition to a single potable water use price for SA Water's non-residential customers. Last month, the parliament opposed the government's attempt to change the law so that it could hide water pricing changes until after the March election.

The Hon. K.A. MAYWALD (Chaffey—Minister for the River Murray, Minister for Water Security) (14:29): Of course, the government intends to be very open, as it has been, about our price pathway. There is absolutely no doubt about that. We intend to increase prices to meet the substantial investment in water security that we are undertaking.

In relation to the non-residential component, had the member listened to the answer last night in estimates he would remember that the non-residential provisions will result in a substantial decrease in prices for many commercial customers of SA Water, not an increase.