WATER RESTRICTIONS

Mr WILLIAMS (MacKillop) (15:04): My question is to the Minister for Water Security. Now that the minister has ruled out the opposition's suggestion to provide excess water to councils to water parks and significant trees because she does not know how to get water to councils, has she considered turning the taps on? Overflowing dams in the Adelaide Hills are connected to a water system that delivers water via a network of pipes that allows people and councils to access water from taps. Isn't that how you would get the water to the councils, minister?

The Hon. K.A. MAYWALD (Chaffey—Minister for the River Murray, Minister for Water Security) (15:06): I relish the opportunity to answer this question from the member for MacKillop, because obviously the member for MacKillop thinks that water is a joke; this government does not. The minister—

Mr Williams interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for MacKillop!

The Hon. K.A. MAYWALD: Mr Speaker, I seek your guidance. Being shouted over every time I get to my feet is becoming a little bit tiresome.

The SPEAKER: Absolutely. The members on my left—particularly the member for MacKillop: he has asked his question, he will listen to the answer.

Mr WILLIAMS: I took umbrage at her saying that we take water as a joke.

The SPEAKER: Order, take your seat! The Minister for Water Security—

Mr Williams interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for MacKillop will contain himself! The Minister for Water Security.

The Hon. K.A. MAYWALD: The government is not going to relieve water restrictions at this time. We do not know what is around the corner in summer. We know how quickly it went pear shaped in 2006-07. We have not secured next year's water reserve from the River Murray for critical human needs, and we will not be relieving water restrictions when it is raining.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!