Water Pricing

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:42): Can the Treasurer inform the house of the methodology for determining the 5 per cent increase in the water regulated asset base and a 10 per cent increase in the sewage regulated asset base, why these were such rounded-off numbers and why the government specifically rejected the advice of both ESCOSA and SA Water?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Point of order, sir. This is just a repeat of an earlier question, although somewhat embellished, but essentially a repeat of an earlier question which the Treasurer has answered.

The SPEAKER: I would have thought if it's a repeat of an earlier question it's a gift to the Treasurer. I will invite him to open it, if he wishes.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (14:42): Mr Speaker—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: You've had a good year.

The SPEAKER: Treasurer!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Sorry, sir. I know, he's fragile. I think we have made it pretty clear that this government believes in postage stamp pricing for water. What Mr Kerin's fundamental argument is is that what we should do is charge people for the real costs of receiving water and then offer a concession from general revenue on top of that to subsidise it. What that means for people in rural, remote and regional areas—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: It's exactly what he's saying. If we do that and the call—

Mr MARSHALL: Standing order 98: relevance, sir.

The SPEAKER: No, you asked the question. Treasurer?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: The call then would come back on the policymakers about who receives the subsidies and how it's funded. It has been exactly the same process from treasurer Stephen Baker, through to treasurer John Olsen, to Rob Lucas, to treasurer Kevin Foley, Jay Weatherill, Jack Snelling and me—the methodology has been the same. If the Liberal Party wants to change that methodology they should announce it now.