DESALINATION PLANT

Mrs REDMOND (Heysen—Leader of the Opposition) (14:26): My question is again to the Premier. Will the Premier confirm that SA Water has entered into a number of contracts totalling $46 million in relation to the desalination plant, which are in addition to the $1.8 billion construction cost, and also in addition to the $403 million interconnector cost, and will these additional contracts force water prices up even further?

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:27): I thank the Leader of the Opposition for her question. I presume that the quantum of money she is talking about there is with respect to arrangements that have been entered into between the consortium and SA Water, and all I can say is that I will be very succinct in answering this question: no arrangements have been entered into that are going to take the price beyond the $1.83 billion that is the fixed contract for the desalination plant.

Mr Williams: What about others?

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr Williams: What about outside the consortium?

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: The simple fact is that the desalination plant is a very important piece of infrastructure for this state's future water security that will cost the state $1.83 million.

The Hon. I.F. Evans interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Davenport! The member for Mitchell

Mrs Redmond interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition!