Water Efficiency Program

Dr CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:12): My question is to the Premier. When was the Premier first informed that the federal government had decided to axe on-farm water efficiency projects?

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS (Black—Minister for Environment and Water) (14:12): The government has been aware for some weeks that the federal government was considering doing this. I have expressed on a number of occasions that I believe that relinquishing this tool with regard to delivering water from on-farm projects is not ideal. I think as many options as possible is the way to deliver water. However, there are still projects being delivered. They are being assessed as we speak, so if that delivers water and ignores the politics and the slogans and the gestures of the opposition—which deliver no water by the way, no water—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: —I am happy to see this plan proceed.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Members on my left and members on my right, the minister in answering the question is entitled to be heard in silence. The minister has concluded his answer. The deputy leader seeks the call.