Landscape South Australia (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 18 March 2020.)

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (16:12): I will be mercifully brief on this. I rise to indicate that we will be supporting this bill. This bill is an administrative adjustment to the Landscape South Australia Act 2019. It allows compliance action to be taken for unauthorised or unlawful water use in each of the state's prescribed water sources over a period that best suits that resource rather than the period gazetted in the respective water delivery notice.

This amendment reflects the intention of the current Landscape South Australia Act and the former NRM Act by enabling compliance action to be undertaken within a time frame that best suits the respective water resource. I understand that some water users have complained that the 2019 changes were not communicated well enough, which has left them in a situation of noncompliance. I hope the government does a better job this time around in communicating these current ones.

The South Australian Labor Party has a strong record of protecting precious natural resources and particularly ensuring that we lead the way on efficient and sustainable use of water. South Australia's leadership on irrigation practices in the early years of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan is evidence of this.

It would be difficult for us to advocate strongly for better practices in the Eastern States if we did not have our own house in order. In keeping with a proud history and legacy of Labor, we will be supporting this bill.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (16:13): I thank the honourable speaker from the Labor Party, the Leader of the Opposition, Kyam Maher, in relation to support for this bill, which corrects something that has an impact on things on a technical basis, and look forward to the committee stage of the debate.

Bill read a second time.

Committee Stage

Bill taken through committee without amendment.

Third Reading

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (16:16): I move:

That this bill be now read a third time.

Bill read a third time and passed.