Question Time

WATER PRICING

Mrs REDMOND (Heysen—Leader of the Opposition) (14:20): My question, as it happens, is not for the Treasurer but for the Premier. Why did the government mislead the public during the election campaign by not revealing that water prices would increase further than previously announced?

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: Point of order: I think, from memory, standing order 97 governs the asking of questions. They cannot contain comment. Making a bald statement that the government misled people during the election campaign is pure comment and argument.

The SPEAKER: I uphold that point of order. I ask you to perhaps reword the question.

Mrs REDMOND: I will reword the question. Why did the Premier and the government not tell the public of South Australia during the election campaign that water prices would increase further than previously announced? Today water prices have risen by 32 per cent, and yesterday on Matt and Dave's ABC radio program the Rann government water commissioner, the failed Labor candidate and best friend of Julia Gillard, Robyn McLeod—

Members interjecting:

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

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: I must make the point, if the Leader of the Opposition, in her position, refuses to abide by standing orders, members opposite should not be calling points of standing order during question time. Plainly, debate and comment in a question is not allowed.

The SPEAKER: Yes, I uphold that point too. Have you got further to say, leader?

Mrs REDMOND: Yes, but I would say that the statement that she is a failed Labor candidate is an absolute statement of fact, as is the fact—

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: On a point of order, the Leader of the Opposition—

Mrs Redmond interjecting:

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: You may sit down now; you have not got the call. I know that she is relatively new to the position, but it is not open to her to contest your ruling other than, by the standing orders, by moving dissent. You have ruled and she is contesting it completely, out of order with the standing orders. They have no knowledge of the standing orders on that side.

The SPEAKER: Yes, I uphold that point of order. I think we better get back to the—

Mrs REDMOND: I will delete the reference, Madam Speaker. Today water prices have increased by 32 per cent and yesterday on Matt and Dave's ABC radio program the government's water commissioner, Robyn McLeod, was caught out lying by denying that she knew of the commonwealth's expectation that SA Water would take—

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: I have a point of order, Madam Speaker. I mean, I hardly need to make it. There is a procedure for explaining a question in this place and there are procedures for asking and answering a question. What we are going to see from the opposition during this question time is a barrage of points of order about how questions are answered. I just make the point that you need to know the standing orders before you can complain about them.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: Well, you wanted to know. Once again, pure comment and debate in a question.

The SPEAKER: Yes, I uphold that point of order. Premier, I think the question was for you.

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) (14:23): Can I just say that, to the best of my recollections, I remember extraordinary controversy—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! We can't hear the Premier. I can't hear a word he is saying; there is so much noise from the other side. If we are going to have a disorderly question time I will call it to a halt and we'll leave. Premier.

The Hon. M.D. RANN: It is interesting that when the Leader of the Opposition asks questions the contenders for her post all jockey for positions in seeing who is the loudest in making interjections. Can I just say that I remember distinctly—indeed, my memory has been revered over the years. I remember when the minister at the time outlined the price path that would be involved in terms of water prices with the building, construction and operation of a desalination plant that would guarantee water security for South Australians. It was very interesting that the Liberals in this state said that they were responsible for the desal plant, and then suddenly they don't like it and now say it is not necessary.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: You don't know where you stand on any issue because you don't stand for anything. One minute the desal plant was your idea, then you condemn it, then you say it is too big and too costly.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: The fact of the matter is that the minister at the time outlined the price path that would ensue.

The SPEAKER: The member for Croydon.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Croydon, do not respond to their interjections; please ask your question.