Legislative Council: Thursday, February 21, 2013

Contents

FARM WATER STORAGE

The Hon. A. BRESSINGTON (14:53): A further supplementary. Can the minister explain then why last week when there was a dispute about the dam capacity a member of the department came out, threw a line in the dam and estimated that the depth of the dam was four metres and had a dispute with the farmer there and then. The farmer dropped his trousers, walked out into the middle of the dam and it barely covered his knees—not four metres deep.

The PRESIDENT: Is there a question?

The Hon. A. BRESSINGTON: That is the question.

The PRESIDENT: Is there a question?

The Hon. A. BRESSINGTON: Is the minister aware that this is—

The PRESIDENT: Hooray!

The Hon. A. BRESSINGTON: —the way these disputes are handled and that it is still bullyboy tactics?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:53): I am aware that the Hon. Ms Bressington has been on the radio with this story. I am not aware of the particular situation. I am not aware if the Hon. Ms Bressington was on site when the alleged incident occurred. I don't know. Were you?

The Hon. A. Bressington interjecting:

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: So, she wasn't on site and she hasn't got first-hand information about the situation. I say again that the department is always prepared to engage with landholders in a good discussion about these calculations. I would say to her: get in touch with my department on behalf of her constituent, if that is the situation to which it pertains, and we will undertake to consult.