Murray-Darling Basin Plan

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (14:39): Under standing order no. 107, I direct a question to the Hon. Michelle Lensink about the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. My question is: does the honourable member agree with Liberal spokesperson for water, Tim Whetstone, the member for Chaffey, that the full basin plan was 2,750 gigalitres, which does not include the 450 gigalitres of water because, in his words, 'the 450 gigalitres of upwater was a side deal'?

The Hon. J.M.A. Lensink: Was that all a quote, or just the last bit?

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: I've just asked a question.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. J.M.A. Lensink interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Did the member understand that question?

The Hon. J.M.A. Lensink: No; could he repeat it please?

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Gazzola, please read it out, and we want silence.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Gazzola.

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: Tim Whetstone, the member for Chaffey, has said that the full basin plan was—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! No more. It is difficult enough to understand the question without people interjecting. The Hon. Mr Gazzola.

The Hon. S.G. Wade: Mr Gazzola doesn't even know where it's from; he doesn't even know if it's a complete quote.

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: You've been here long enough, Stephen.

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Gazzola will ask the question, without interjection.

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: Tim Whetstone, the member for Chaffey, said—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The next one to interject will be warned—

The Hon. K.J. Maher interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: —and that includes the Leader of the Government. The Hon. Mr Gazzola.

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: Tim Whetstone, the member Chaffey, said that the full basin plan was 2,750 gigalitres, which does not include the 450 gigalitres of water because—and the quote was—'the 450 gigalitres of upwater was a side deal'. And that was in an interview from 18 November. Okay, Stephen?

The Hon. S.G. Wade: Where?

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: On radio.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (14:41): I think I am familiar with the interview that the honourable member is referring to. I think the last words are the quote where he refers to the 450 gigalitres of upwater, but I think he is actually trying to put words in the honourable member's mouth, from my understanding of the particular interview. The basin plan is 3,200 gigalitres. It is 2,750 gigalitres and 450 gigalitres of upwater. That gets you to 3,200. It is legislated. The only way that it can be amended is through amending the act, and every state has a veto over any proposed changes to the basin plan. It has been guaranteed by the Prime Minister. I am not quite sure that it gets any more definitive than that.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!