DESALINATION PLANT

Mr WILLIAMS (MacKillop—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:52): Supplementary, Madam Speaker. Minister, was the Chief Executive of SA Water (John Ringham) correct when he said, on 2 December last year:

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

Was he correct, and if he was, why weren't those financial consequences implemented?

The SPEAKER: I consider that a question, not a supplementary. 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) (14:52): Madam Speaker, I am not sure if that was in The Advertiser this morning, but—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: Well, in last December's Advertiser,but it is quite a simple equation: a dispute existed on the basis of what were the agreed positions on the delivery of first water. That dispute has been resolved, it has been settled, and we are on track—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: Well, as I said, funding was withheld, so it was not—

Mr Williams: Why was funding withheld?

The SPEAKER: Order! The deputy leader will be quiet or leave the chamber.

The Hon. P. CAICA: That would make us all happy, Madam Speaker, either option. The dispute has been settled; that is a good thing, and—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: Well, the terms of the settlement are an agreed position between SA Water and AdelaideAqua. It is a pretty simple equation, Madam Speaker.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Port Adelaide.