DESALINATION PLANT

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (14:55): A supplementary question: why did the Jay Weatherill Labor government increase water prices to the tune of $38.7 million over three years as a result of its decision to require 100 per cent renewable energy for the desalination plant?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:55): My understanding is that was a requirement of the federal government to contribute to the funding, but let me just drive—

The Hon. R.I. Lucas: It was not. That is just untrue. You know it is untrue as well.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: The Hon. Mr Lucas is casting—

The PRESIDENT: It's alright, minister, I'm listening.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: The Hon. Mr Lucas is the paragon of virtue in this regard. This is a man who is well known for his unfortunate terminological inexactitudes in this place. He gets away with it time and time again. All I can say is I won't be following his lead.