MURRAY RIVER BUYBACK SCHEME

The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE (15:00): By way of supplementary question, I point out that the minister mentioned 30 gigalitres in his answer on the Lower Lakes. Will he explain why and how 24 gigalitres of water has been found to offset the acidification and environmental problems in Lake Bonney and the wetlands areas (which we support) when not one gigalitre or any accelerated remediation has been put forward for the Lower Lakes?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (15:00): I reject the comment that nothing has been put forward for the remediation of the Lower Lakes. Anything that can be done to save water upstream of the lakes will be of benefit, almost by definition, to the lakes. Any water conservation measure—and, of course, we have had severe water restrictions in Adelaide, for example—means that less water needs to be taken from the river and therefore it will find its way down to the lakes.

In relation to remediation of the wetlands, I will refer that question to the Minister for Water Security. There is some environmental allocation available for the river—not enough, of course; that has been the whole argument over the past few years in relation to the River Murray. Originally, there was a proposal for something like 1,500 gigalitres of environmental flow, and that figure was decided upon before the particularly severe drought we have experienced over the past two years. In an average year, we certainly need something like an additional 1,500 gigalitres available for the river for environmental flows.

Clearly, severe environmental stress is being placed on parts of the Murray, and I understand that in areas such as the Chowilla Forest and others that it is essential that at least some of the water that is available is used to protect those very important areas. It is important not just to protect them in themselves but also to protect the water quality in the river. I believe that is the source of water being used for these protected wetlands, but I will get that information for the honourable member from the Minister for Water Security.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Would the Hon. Mr Ridgway like to take over question time today? Would he like to take the Hon. Mr Lawson's question?

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: The Hon. Mr Lawson might like to ask his own question.

The PRESIDENT: Well, the honourable member might like to come to order.

The Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: And so should the Hon. Mr Dawkins.