WATER PRICING

Mrs REDMOND (Heysen—Leader of the Opposition) (15:00): My question is to the Minister for Water. What advice does the minister have for the commercial laundry in Newton whose water usage bill has increased by 32 per cent since last year, from about $8,900 to now $12,000?

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for the River Murray, Minister for Water) (15:00): I did see the opposition leader's press release that was a bit like her last newsletter—hardly based in fact with respect to the figures that were used—I don't know how that one got through. Quite simply, we have made it clear that the costs with respect to ensuring that we have security of our water supplies now and into the future, that allows for reducing our reliance on the River Murray but also allows for the very important expansion of this state's population and its business—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: Well, quite simply, we are not going to subsidise businesses with respect to their water consumption.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Morialta.