SOUTH-EAST DRAINAGE SYSTEM

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (14:33): I have a supplementary question. It has been the understanding of the government that these schemes are vital to the South-East of the state and therefore should be funded by the taxpayer, so why is the minister wanting to levy farmers for this cost, especially given that the Dunstan government abandoned such plans in the seventies?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:34): The Hon. Mr Stephens just didn't listen to a word I said. I should start again and read it all into the record. To break it down into very simple language for the Hon. Mr Stephens, it is simply this: the government recognises that it has a duty to provide for the maintenance of the South-East drainage board, and we do—and we do. However, we also maintain that those people who directly cause the need for the drainage, those people who directly benefit from the drainage, should also contribute to the maintenance costs. That is about sharing the burden fairly and equitably across our state.