Water Allocations

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee) (14:45): My question is to the Minister for Environment and Water. Is the minister aware of the budget savings measure requiring SA Water to sell water allocations?

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS (Black—Minister for Environment and Water) (14:45): Yes; I am—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: Well, it is a business decision for the board of SA Water and the management of SA Water to provide recommendations to me as to what they should look like. It is a budget—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Minister, please be seated for one moment. The member for West Torrens can leave for half an hour. Thank you.

The honourable member for West Torrens having withdrawn from the chamber:

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: It is certainly an element of the budget savings program, but it is for the management of SA Water and the SA Water board to provide advice as to how that should be fulfilled. That is the role of a corporate organisation like SA Water. They have a very professional board in place, a board I was very proud to renew and revitalise when I became minister, in collaboration with the Treasurer and the cabinet. I will rely on their advice as to what the manifestation of any of those savings outcomes can and should look like.