Legislative Council Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1) 52 1 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time Edwardstown Groundwater Contamination EDWARDSTOWN GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY Legislative Council Leader of the Opposition EDWARDSTOWN GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:31): When the minister was the minister for environment was she aware of this groundwater contamination? The Hon. G.E. GAGO Legislative Council Minister for Regional Development Minister for Public Sector Management Minister for the Status of Women Minister for Consumer Affairs Minister for Government Enterprises EDWARDSTOWN GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises) (14:31): To the best of my knowledge, no. It is so long ago and there are so many issues I have to deal with, so I actually can't confirm one way or the other, but to the best of my knowledge, no. It is not my responsibility; it is the responsibility of the minister for environment, and he is managing this situation extremely well. I am incredibly confident in the skill and expertise of the EPA, so it is in good hands. We know that South Australia has a history of contaminants being buried. History shows us— Members interjecting: The President Legislative Council The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. G.E. GAGO Legislative Council The Hon. G.E. GAGO: —that, back in the good old days, that's how industry dealt with its waste: it simply dug a hole and buried it, and we know that that has occurred throughout South Australia. Members interjecting: The Hon. G.E. GAGO Legislative Council The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Well, you are right about something—it was the bad old days. So, we know this has occurred throughout South Australia at various times. As I said, the current minister is doing a good job in managing this, and I have every confidence in the skill and expertise of the EPA.