DESALINATION PLANT

Mr WILLIAMS (MacKillop—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:46): My question is to the Minister for Water and the River Murray. What changed with regard to the desalination plant contract between December last year and last week? On 2 December last year the Chief Executive of SA Water stated:

The contract between SA Water and AdelaideAqua includes provision for specific financial consequences flowing from delayed completion of the First Water milestone.

It went on to say:

SA Water is enforcing those financial consequences in its administration of the contract payment process.

Yet last week SA Water issued a statement saying that it now agreed to release those withheld payments.

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:47): I thank the honourable member for his question. Clearly he answered the question himself. What has changed? They have settled, and settlement of any dispute is a good thing.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!