DESALINATION PLANTS

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (14:53): Can the minister explain why there is no urgency with this particular project, given that in Western Australia it took 18 months from start to completion and delivery, and you are still talking about not until 2011? Where is the sense of urgency and why are you penalising people with water restrictions in South Australia?

The PRESIDENT: The honourable member will just ask the question, rather than make comment.

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Police, Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning) (14:53): Because this desalination plant will be operating in gulf waters, rather than in the Pacific Ocean, obviously I think it is appropriate that it should have a level of proper assessment. There are issues which need to be properly assessed. Regardless of the timing, the fact—

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: We will all be dead, will we? The fact is that we have just been through the most serious drought that this state has faced in well over 100 years, and hopefully we are coming to the end of it.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: Well, it's statistical. Members opposite go 'Oh'. That is a statistical fact. If the opposition has got to the stage where they just ignore basic scientific facts, then what hope is there for them?