Murray-Darling Basin Plan

Dr CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:59): My question is again to the Minister for Environment and Water. What action has the minister taken since Friday's meeting of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority to place pressure on those states that have requested a delay in their water resource plans?

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS (Black—Minister for Environment and Water) (15:59): Several months ago, I made it very clear to the other jurisdictions that I expected them to do what they could to ensure that their water allocation plans were submitted on time. That included speaking to both minister Neville in Victoria and minister Blair in New South Wales to emphasise the importance of doing all we can to get plans to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority for assessment.

I have had a number of conversations with those ministers about this. Obviously—and particularly in the case of New South Wales, which is currently in caretaker mode leading into Saturday's election, and the period of uncertainty before the election and potentially after the election, depending on the outcome of that poll—that state has that added challenge at the moment. I have made it very clear that it is so important for the River Murray and the communities that rely on a healthy, working river, that these plans are in place as soon as possible.