SA WATER

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (15:00): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the minister representing the Minister for Water a question with regard to SA Water.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY: South Australia recently suffered from what has been reported as the worst drought it has experienced since records began in 1891. During this time, the government introduced water restrictions, which I understand were eased and replaced with water-wise measures during December 2010.

I understand that, during this period, when level 3 water restrictions were in place, a number of water restriction inspectors were employed by SA Water, who acted on information from the community with regard to individuals who may have been breaching the restrictions. I understand that these inspectors would issue warnings for possible breaches, and they also had the power to issue fines to individuals who wilfully, and often habitually, breached the water restrictions. My questions are:

1. How many water restriction inspectors were employed?

2. Were these staff employed solely for this role?

3. Were these staff recruited externally or were they redeployees from within SA Water?

4. Are these people still employed by SA Water and, if so, in what capacity?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (15:01): I thank the honourable member for his very important questions directed to the minister, Paul Caica, in another place. I will forward the honourable member's questions to the minister and seek a response for him.