Northern Adelaide Irrigation Scheme

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (15:04): Supplementary question: in the minister's answer he mentioned the community consultation that has taken place in the Playford and Mallala council areas. Given the existing irrigation infrastructure that exists in the areas of the Light Regional Council adjacent to Playford and Mallala, have there been any consultation sessions in the Light Regional Council area?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change) (15:05): I do not have advice from SA Water about running engagement strategies in that area, but I can inform the honourable member and this chamber that, in fact, the cabinet, which was recently in the Barossa, received a delegation of local government mayors, officers and officials who spoke to us about this very situation. Of course, we have the BIL project up in the Barossa and the Virginia pipeline further over to the west. This project, the Northern Adelaide Irrigation Scheme, has the potential—

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway interjecting:

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: —has the potential, and I will leave it at that, to link up those two existing schemes to drive extra efficiencies for the region, further growth in agricultural production—

The Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: —and, of course, jobs for South Australians in the north of Adelaide. But, again, all you hear from the opposition is criticism, and 'We were robbed, it was our idea and you stole it from us.' All they have admitted to today is recycling old, failed Liberal plans that fail them at every single election, and to help them out I have let them take on one of our ideas. All power to you. Embrace it and come and work with us.

The Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins: You're a fool.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Dawkins, I do not think that was very parliamentary.

The Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins: I withdraw it.

The PRESIDENT: Thank you. The Hon. Mr Ngo.