EDWARDSTOWN GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION

Mrs REDMOND (Heysen—Leader of the Opposition) (14:16): Again, my question is to the Minister for Environment and Conservation. Can the minister inform the house when the previous minister for environment, minister Weatherill, first became aware of the groundwater contamination at the Edwardstown site?

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for the River Murray, Minister for Water) (14:17): I am not aware of the answer to that particular question.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The question was asked of the minister for environment, therefore he can answer it.

The Hon. P. CAICA: In fact, I am advised that he was never told about it.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for MacKillop!

The Hon. P. CAICA: The other point that I would make is this—

The Hon. P.F. Conlon interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Minister for Transport, be quiet.

The Hon. P. CAICA: I pose the question: what is the opposition attempting to do? We have a situation that is occurring at Edwardstown—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: —and, quite simply, what I would urge the opposition to do, instead of instilling a heightened level of fear amongst people—unfounded fear—is to actually work with the government. Quite simply, one of the most significant investments any of us ever make is an investment in our home. Most of us have children and we care about the health and wellbeing of our families. What you are doing is unnecessarily heightening the anxiety of people.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: I am blaming you for being irresponsible. Madam Speaker, not you; I am blaming the opposition for being irresponsible—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: —just as was the case with respect to the nature of the headlines that appeared in the paper this morning, and other assertions made in other forms and areas of the media, and that are continually being promoted by the opposition. Become a responsible opposition.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!