Murray-Darling Basin Royal Commission

Dr CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:29): My question is again to the Premier. When will the South Australian government respond to the royal commission report on the Murray-Darling Basin?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General) (14:29): The Royal Commissions Act is of course—

Mr Picton interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Kaurna is warned for a second and final time.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: —an area of responsibility of the Attorney-General. I indicate that, subsequent to receiving Mr Walker's report on the commission—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: —there were a number of—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: —matters raised by Mr Walker. In particular, Mr Walker raised the validity of aspects of the water act, the application of the water act by the authority and other structures within the model that currently operates and a number of recommendations that he made in what I will describe as a non-legal area but which were important recommendations to be considered.

The Attorney-General's Department has taken responsibility, via the Crown Solicitor's Office, to provide advice to the government in respect of a number of both legal and constitutional issues raised by Mr Walker. We are yet to receive the report, but I did have an indication from the Crown Solicitor's Office that that would be at least by the end of May, so I would be expecting an update shortly. Other aspects in relation to recommendations have been referred largely to the Minister for Water's department to contribute to a response. Doubtless, when they come together we will then prepare our response formally.