MURRAY-DARLING BASIN PLAN

Dr CLOSE (Port Adelaide) (15:00): My question is to the Premier. Can the Premier inform the house about the status of the basin plan?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Treasurer, Minister for State Development, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for the Arts) (15:01): I thank the honourable member for her question. Of course, the basin plan, as I am presently informed, has not had a motion for disallowance moved in respect of it, in either house of the federal parliament, and so that means that by the close of sitting this evening the Murray-Darling Basin Plan will come into operation as a matter of law. This is a very substantial day in the history of the life of the nation and, in particular, for South Australia.

I want to pay tribute, in particular, to all of those who brought us to this day. I want to start by singling out the member for Colton, former minister for water resources and environment, who played an extraordinary role in this regard. I also want to acknowledge all of those around this state, and all of those in the South Australian community who stood up, together with the government and decided to make our voice heard around the nation: irrigators and environmentalists standing together, and country and city standing together, seeking to promote the importance of restoring 3,200 gigalitres of water to this river.

The federal government committed to and passed legislation that established a $1.77 billion fund to recover an additional 450 gigalitres of environmental water for the basin and to address constraints that impede water delivery. Added to that is an extra couple of hundred million dollars for industry adjustment here in South Australia, so over $2 billion of resources have been made available to secure the health of the river and ensure that the benefits are shared in South Australia but that the burdens are not unfairly falling on South Australia. That is the measure of the success of this campaign, if you want to reduce it to dollar terms.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Well, those opposite scoff, and I know they scoff because they were lead in our saddlebags, frankly, but they do scoff.

The Hon. P.F. Conlon: They wanted to accept something less.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Exactly. They wanted to settle for 2,750. That was the—

The Hon. P.F. Conlon interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Elder is warned for the first time.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: We were asked to drive the Mazda and we rejected that in favour of a first class Statesman. Can I say that the extra water will have environmental benefits including keeping the Murray Mouth open, flushing salt from the system, and providing the environmental flows to our precious River Murray wetlands and flood lands. We will also ensure this benefits river communities and industries who rely so heavily on this river. Critically, the plan is backed by investment to strengthen regional industries and communities.

I went to the Riverland, I took seriously their concerns about the future viability of their industries, and we have extracted very substantial industry adjustment funds for our state. Communities will have the opportunity to access the Australian government's $100 million basin-wide plan funding, with $25 million being earmarked for South Australia, in addition to our own $20 million Riverland Sustainable Futures Fund. Benefits will extend to recreation, tourism, commercial fishing, as well as a range of cultural and social pursuits.

The basin will continue to have a premium food and wine industry using the most advanced and efficient irrigation techniques in the world. I want to acknowledge something about South Australia in this regard, and it is this: we have always realised that we live at the end of this river. We have understood that we have to assert ourselves to ensure that South Australia's interests are protected—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: —and that is why we have achieved this. We have achieved this through an extraordinary struggle on behalf of all South Australians together.

The SPEAKER: The Premier's time has expired. And arising from that answer, I call to order, and warn for the first time, the members for Chaffey, Heysen and Hammond.

Mr Pederick: Thank you, policeman.

The SPEAKER: Thank you for your expression of appreciation, member for Hammond. The Leader.