DESALINATION PLANT

Mr WHETSTONE (Chaffey) (14:57): My question is for the Minister for Water. Could the minister explain why residents in Chaffey are paying for the Adelaide desalination plant when they receive no water from it and there is no environmental dividend for the River Murray from it? The government has announced that South Australians who do not benefit from the River Murray water will not be required to pay Save the River Murray levy. Will the minister extend the same principle to South Australians who do not benefit from the Adelaide desalination plant?

The SPEAKER: Member for Chaffey, that was not an explanation, it was another question. You need to be very careful about the wording of your explanations. They are to explain the question, not to make a statement. Minister.

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:58): I will make this very important point: water security affects all South Australia—the ability to be able to ensure that this state has underpinned its water security in the future, which in turn guarantees our social, economic and environmental wellbeing. As a result of that, every member of the South Australian public will in some way be contributing to that water security. So, the answer is no.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr Williams interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for MacKillop, order, or you will go out!