WATER PRICING

Mr WILLIAMS (MacKillop—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:45): My question is to the Minister for Water and the River Murray. How can South Australians trust this government, whose then treasurer, on 11 March 2008, told the media that water prices would double over five years, yet only four years later water prices have almost trebled, increasing by 176 per cent?

The SPEAKER: There is certainly supposition in that question. Minister, do you wish to respond to that question?

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:45): Of course, we were the government that, last week, announced the one-off water security rebate to be introduced to help alleviate the cost of increased water prices. That rebate will go to more than 600,000 households and customers across the state. As a result of that, the average residential customer bill for water and sewerage will increase in 2012-13 by 9 per cent, inclusive of the water security rebate and water prices, as was mentioned. I think you said the then treasurer; is that right?

Mr Williams: The last treasurer.

The Hon. P. CAICA: The then treasurer in 2008. I am not going to be held responsible for what was said in 2008. However—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: —what I would say is this, and I am assuming this, that when he made this comment in 2008 he was referring to the entire bill that a customer gets with respect to what we all call the water bill. It is made up of three components: the supply charge, the water component and the sewerage component, and within the water component are the three tiers. We have been very transparent—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: —about what the costs would be with respect to ensuring that this state had water security for not only this generation but future generations, transparent about the costs that would be involved with that, and in addition to that, transposing that against the costs that would have been incurred had we not undertaken the decisions that we made to ensure water security. The Liberal opposition can continue to play politics but they know themselves that the water bill in its entirety is made up of three components, one of which is the consumption of water, and there are varying percentage increases over that period of time with respect to the three different components.

Mr WILLIAMS: Point of order. The question was about the price of water, it was not about the bill. It was not about the SA Water bill, it was just the price of water.

The SPEAKER: Order! The minister can answer the question as he chooses, and the response was adequate. Member for Torrens.