Ministerial Statement

GOYDER INSTITUTE FOR WATER RESEARCH

The Hon. M.D. RANN (Ramsay—Premier, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change) (14:02): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. M.D. RANN: Securing an ongoing sustainable water supply is essential to underpin South Australia's future economic growth. As members would be aware, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority is currently preparing the basin-wide plan. Access to the best science will be essential for South Australia to argue for its fair share of water from the river for our communities, irrigators and the environment.

South Australia's mining boom will depend upon securing sustainable water supplies, particularly groundwater. The best science will be required to allow the mining industry to grow without threatening the state's groundwater supplies, and the best science will be needed to deal with the drier and more variable climate into the future. South Australia needs the best water science to deal with these challenges, and I can tell members that we will have the best water science in the nation.

Today, I am delighted to announce to this house the establishment of the Goyder Institute for water research. The Goyder Institute will provide independent expert scientific advice to the state government on South Australia's water system, improving the ability to forecast threats to water security and building an enhanced approach to integrated water management.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier is entitled to be heard in silence. The Premier.

The Hon. M.D. RANN: The result will be water policy that best reflects the values and priorities of the state, solidly informed by science. The institute is named after George Goyder, the former surveyor-general and creator of Goyder's Line. He is well recognised as a leader in water resource management at the time. The Goyder Institute is a five-year, $50 million collaboration between the South Australian government, the commonwealth CSIRO, the University of Adelaide, Flinders University and the University of South Australia.

If members opposite want to oppose this $50 million water science institute, let them say so now; let them knock back the CSIRO's involvement. Securing the Goyder Institute is a major coup for South Australia, to have it here in this state, because it will also strengthen our position as an international leader in water resource management. The Goyder Institute will be chaired by the state's Chief Scientist, Dr Ian Chessell, and will be located in the Royal Institution of Australia building in Exchange Place.

It is interesting. I just want to reflect, because I know that Dr Ian Chessell is here in the house today. I congratulate his son, Duncan Chessell, on his third summit to Everest just in the last couple of days—one of the great Australian explorers.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: A new Chair of Public Policy and Management at the Australian and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG), based at Flinders University, will also be established to focus on the development of effective policies and programs in the area of water resource management. Key areas of focus for the institute will include:

identifying the location, quality and capacity of aquifers throughout the Far North of the state to facilitate long-term outback water solutions, and support the ongoing development of the state's mining industry;

investigating requirements of wetland ecosystems in the South-East; and

assisting the government to secure the best deal for South Australia out of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

The Goyder Institute will attract some of Australia's top water scientists to provide independent scientific advice to the government. It will help ensure that we extend our national leadership in all areas of water resource management, including environmental water. It will help underpin the growth of our mining industry.

Mrs Redmond: What growth?

The Hon. M.D. RANN: 'What growth?', she says. Four mines under the Liberals, 11 mines and 16 by the end of this year under Labor. What growth? Four times the number of mines under Labor because, for members opposite, mining was just a 'mirage in the desert' and we are making it happen.

The SPEAKER: Order! There is a point of order. The member for Finniss.

Mr PENGILLY: I believe that the Premier is entering into debate.

The SPEAKER: I do not uphold that point of order, because he was responding to an interjection from your side. Premier.

The Hon. M.D. RANN: South Australia has long been a national leader in stormwater capture and reuse and wastewater recycling (where we easily lead the nation) and rainwater tank ownership (where we easily lead the nation). Above all other states, we recognise the value of our precious water resources.

Securing an institute of this stature, so that we base key future decisions about water use on well-researched scientific advice, will help keep our state in a leadership position on water management. I want to congratulate Professor Chessell. I want to thank the CSIRO for its involvement. The federal government's support is vital. I thank also the water minister, the Hon. Paul Caica, for this flying start in his new ministry.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!