SA Water

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:29): My question is to the Minister for Water. Minister, will you guarantee that any resident or business whose property has been damaged will be fully compensated?

The PRESIDENT: Before you answer that, can I just give a friendly reminder to our photographer up there that you are only to take photos of members on their feet and not while they are sitting, thanks. Minister.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change) (14:29): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. He would also be aware, I hope, from watching my media appearances and also from my commentary in the past, that SA Water will make sure that no-one is out of pocket if they have been responsible for causing damage or loss.

If the damage or loss is not SA Water's fault then the first port of call is, of course, to go to your insurance company. All of us, whether we are a business or a householder, are responsible for providing our own insurance for that business or for our household. That is a responsibility we all have and all share. SA Water, of course, when it is at fault—as it was indeed at Paradise, and it accepted that fault was caused by an operator error—makes quite sure that it refunds the affected property owners for any damage or loss.