Water Buybacks

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (15:09): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development regarding South Australian horticulturalists.

Leave granted.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: In response to a question from the Hon. Tung Ngo in this place yesterday, the minister correctly described our horticultural industry as contributing over $200 billion a year and batting above its average. On 27 April 2023, in an InDaily article, it was reported that the government's own River Murray Commissioner, Mr Richard Beasley, believed that, and I quote, 'governments must buy water back rather than waste time and money on efficiencies.'

There are concerns amongst horticulturalists and other basin stakeholders that the government entering the market to acquire the 450 gigalitres of environmental water recovery targets before the 1 July 2024 would cause a substantial increase in the price of water, which has the potential to cripple the horticultural industry into the future. My questions to the minister are:

1. Has the minister consulted with sections of the horticultural industry who obtain their water from the consumptive pool specifically about buybacks?

2. Does the minister have any concerns regarding the proposal for a mass buyback of water rights before 1 July 2024?

3. Can the minister guarantee that a mass buyback of water rights in the basin will not impact the price of water for South Australian irrigators?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:11): I am happy to take those questions on notice and refer them to the relevant minister in the other place, the Minister for Environment and Water and bring back a response.