DESALINATION PLANT

Mr WILLIAMS (MacKillop—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:55): I have a supplementary question. Given that the minister has just said that we have much better contractual arrangements in South Australia than the Victorians have over their desal plant construction, why did SA Water not invoke penalty clauses due to delays in construction in South Australia, notwithstanding that last December, John Ringham, the CE of SA Water, told the public of South Australia that there were financial penalty clauses and they would be invoked?

The SPEAKER: I think that was another question, but regardless. 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) (14:56): Madam Speaker, I am with you. I cannot see how that is a supplementary. Notwithstanding that, quite simply—and I think I have answered this before but in another place (our place)—the penalty clauses that existed there did in fact exist. There was a dispute that arose. That dispute has been resolved through discussions and negotiations between SA Water and the proponents. It has been resolved in such a way that I can—

Mr Williams interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: —inform the house that the advice I have is that the completion of the desalination plant is still scheduled to be on track for December 2012.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: The full 100-gigalitre capacity desalination plant will be completed at that time and will come in on, or slightly under, the budget that was provisioned for this very important piece of infrastructure. I answered this question previously.

Mr Williams: No, you haven't.

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: I am happy to have it asked again and I will answer it again in the same way.

Mr Williams interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Deputy Leader, order! I will give you a question.

Mr WILLIAMS: Are you calling me for another question?

The SPEAKER: Yes, but you behave yourself.