DESALINATION PLANT

Mr WILLIAMS (MacKillop—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:22): My question is to the Minister for Water. I will ask my very serious question very slowly so that the minister has an opportunity to hear. How much was paid under the desalination plant operation and maintenance contract prior to first water being achieved? Documents obtained under freedom of information indicate that payments began on 8 July 2009, over a year before first water was achieved in October 2011.

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (15:23): Gee whiz! Is there nothing that the member for Norwood does not know? He knows everything. I am not being disrespectful to the Deputy Leader of the Opposition but I have learnt over a period of time that his questions are sometimes not as carefully constructed as they might be, and as a—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr PISONI: Point of order, Madam Speaker: 127. You cannot—

The SPEAKER: I do not see that as a reflection, particularly—but minister, could you answer the question and please don't refer to the other side.

The Hon. P. CAICA: I will do my best, Madam Speaker. I do not have those details before me. I will get back with a fulsome answer to the house.