SA Water Bills

Mr TELFER (Flinders) (14:38): My question is to the Minister for Small and Family Business. What does the minister say to small business owners Steven and Laura, owners of Exotic Botanic in Royston Park? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr TELFER: Steven and Laura's water bill was up 70 per cent on the same time last year. The increase of almost $1,000 is forcing them to make the difficult decision to either put up their prices or reduce working hours for casual staff.

The Hon. A. MICHAELS (Enfield—Minister for Small and Family Business, Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs, Minister for Arts) (14:39): I am very much concerned about the situation with the increasing costs of doing business—and I reiterate what the Premier and the Treasurer have just enunciated—but we see there are two main issues here. One is a significant investment in infrastructure that will allow us to deal with a housing crisis that our young people want us to deal with. The infrastructure we need in the north and south is something that was lacking in the former Liberal government. They did nothing to deal with the housing crisis that was emerging. We are taking action here on this side of the house with a very targeted policy.

The second issue, of course, is what the Treasurer touched on, and that is we are seeing a significant drought, we are seeing excessive water use. As the Treasurer said, these are the two main issues that are contributing not only to household water consumption bills but also to small businesses. They are the issues at hand. If there are any policies coming out from those opposite to deal with either making it rain or building houses, we would love to hear about them.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Members on my right! The Minister for Education is on his final warning.