Ministerial Statement

SA WATER

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:18): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: I wish to make a statement on the SA Water purchase card policy. Earlier this year I requested that SA Water revise its policies on purchase card use and other expenditure. I am pleased to advise the chamber that SA Water has revised its policies with respect to purchase card use and other expenditure, which have now been presented to me.

SA Water has reviewed all its policies relating to purchase cards, reimbursement and petty cash, travel allowances and other relevant policies. SA Water provides one of the most vital services, of course, to the community, and the organisation requires purchase cards to support its day-to-day operations. However, its purchasing policies must be efficient and appropriate.

Approximately 490 staff members have purchase cards to enable the efficient and timely purchase of low value goods and services, particularly in regional areas, and SA Water must ensure that the use of these cards is strictly monitored. That is why I asked SA Water's chief executive to review all expenditure policies.

As a result, a new purchase card policy has come into effect. The policy places even stricter guidelines on the use of purchase cards and restricts the purchase of alcohol and gifts. In addition, the chief executive has written to all SA Water cardholders, reminding them of their obligations and the organisation's expectations when it comes to corporate card use.

The new purchase card policy contains detailed information which clearly explains the responsibility for primary cardholders, issuing officers and those staff with authorisation status. Queries about the appropriateness of any expenditure will now be raised directly by managers with cardholders. In the event of serious misuse of a card, disciplinary action will be taken as warranted, including the potential for prosecution and dismissal. This government has set SA Water the challenge of finding increased efficiencies in a new environment that includes economic regulation and third-party access, and this policy will contribute to that challenge.