Legislative Council Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1) 55 1 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time Water Buybacks Water Buybacks The Hon. J.S. LEE Legislative Council Deputy Leader of the Opposition Water Buybacks The Hon. J.S. LEE (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:44): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Primary Industries and Regions regarding water buybacks. Leave granted. The Hon. J.S. LEE Legislative Council Deputy Leader of the Opposition The Hon. J.S. LEE: National Farmers' Federation President Fiona Simson suggested that any government should, and I quote: …consider the wellbeing impacts when implementing policy. Bulldozing ahead with policies without adequate consultation and without setting foot in the local community can have ramifications on regional livelihoods and, of course, that means mental health. Ms Simson then specifically referred to the reintroduction of water buybacks in the Murray-Darling Basin and the detrimental damage this had on farming communities. My questions to the minister are: 1.	Has the minister consulted with South Australian irrigators whom she represents as Minister for Primary Industries? 2.	Has she met with River Murray communities whom she represents as the minister for regions over the proposed Albanese government's plan to reintroduce water buybacks and how it may affect them and, if not, why not? Members interjecting: The President Legislative Council The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Hunter, order! The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN Legislative Council Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister for Forest Industries The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:46): I am happy to refer the substance of the question to the relevant minister in the other place, the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water. In terms of meeting with River Murray communities, I do so on quite a frequent basis, something that has been commented on positively, in contrast to the former Minister for Environment and Water, the Leader of the Opposition in the other place, whom on my first visit to the Riverland I was advised had only ever turned up there once. I'm glad to say that the deputy— Members interjecting: The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN Legislative Council Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister for Forest Industries The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: That's what they told me, that he had only bothered to go to the Riverland once, and that was in the four-year term. The Deputy Premier of course has been into the River Murray areas frequently and, as is referred to, this is a matter that is being discussed in the federal realm, the matter of voluntary buybacks, so I will bring back any answers that may come from the minister in the other place.