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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-11-17 Daily Xml
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Question Time

WATER SECURITY

Mrs REDMOND (Heysen—Leader of the Opposition) (14:30): My question is for the Minister for Water Security. Why did it take seven days for the government to adopt Liberal Party policy on easing water restrictions when the information on which the government made its decision was publicly available?

The Hon. K.A. MAYWALD (Chaffey—Minister for the River Murray, Minister for Water Security) (14:30): That is a terrific question, because we do not know what Liberal Party policy is: it changes with the weather. The South Australian government has taken and continues to take a very responsible approach to water security. The issue of whether we had sufficient water available to change the watering times and provide more flexibility was subject to a rigorous assessment of the available water and what usage might be expected under different scenarios. That work was undertaken by SA Water. We took advice also from gardening experts and from our water security commissioner.

Across the board, I have to say that there were very differing views and, yes, I do understand the opposition jumping upon the opportunity to second-guess the government, knowing this was the work we were undertaking, as the Premier and I announced it three or four weeks ago. Three to four weeks ago, the Premier, the Minister for Environment and Conservation and I flagged that this was the work we were undertaking to introduce a summer watering policy. Prior to that there was no policy from the opposition, apart from a knee-jerk reaction to say, 'People want more, so give them more.' The only policy the opposition has is: turn on the taps and have a free-for-all.

Mr PENGILLY: On a point of order, sir: I believe the minister is debating the issue, not answering the question.

The SPEAKER: I think the minister has completed her answer, in any case.

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