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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-09-23 Daily Xml
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WATER SECURITY MINISTER

Mrs REDMOND (Heysen—Leader of the Opposition) (14:34): My question is to the Premier. Has he received a letter from the member for Mawson expressing concern about the performance of the Minister for Water Security?

The Hon. M.D. RANN (Ramsay—Premier, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change) (14:34): Can I just say this: I receive letters—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: I receive letters from many, many members of parliament about local issues, and I think that is fantastic. Do you know something? We have an outstanding water resources minister, and we have outstanding members of parliament who fight for their electorates. That is what I encourage. The difference is what goes on over there. We have the member for Bragg and the member for MacKillop refusing to rule out a challenge—

Mr PISONI: On a point of order, sir: the question was quite specific. It was regarding a letter between the member for Mawson and the Premier. It has nothing to do with the opposition, sir; yes or no.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier must answer the substance of the question.

The Hon. M.D. RANN: I receive letters from all members of parliament. I have received letters from the member for Mawson.

Mr Williams interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for MacKillop is warned.

The Hon. M.D. RANN: I have letters and communications from the member for Mawson on behalf of local constituents in the wine industry who are critical of SA Water. Do you know what? That is what the fibre and fabric of politics is about in terms of local representation. What I would encourage members opposite to do is also to write to me on behalf of their constituents.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. M.D. RANN: I do not actually knock back FOIs, because there is a difference in the arrangements now, where we have independent FOI officers.

The key point is that it is the right of every member of parliament in this chamber, and indeed even in the upper house, although we are all looking forward, given the historic vote last night. I was waiting to see figured in the media on the front page or somewhere that historic vote in this chamber, where an overwhelming majority of members voted for the third reading of the constitution bill to see a reduction in the number of members of parliament. I invite all members of parliament to write to their relevant ministers on behalf of their constituents. That is called democracy.

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