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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-02-10 Daily Xml
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SAVE THE RIVER MURRAY LEVY

Mr WHETSTONE (Chaffey) (15:23): My question is to the Minister for Water. Why are South Australian irrigators paying 100 per cent of the Save the River Murray levy when restricted to 67 per cent of their allocation?

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for the River Murray, Minister for Water) (15:23): I thank the honourable member for the question.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: No, I am happy to go on well beyond this time. I would have thought that you might have asked some questions about the allocations as well. Certainly I would make the point that we have been very supportive of the Riverland communities over a significant period of time.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: What, you don't remember when we purchased water for permanent plantings?

The Hon. K.O. Foley interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: Tens of millions of dollars.

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: I was up there last week; it's safe to say they don't love me. It is safe to say they don't love me, and I accept that.

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: That's right. Quite frankly, we are renowned for the way in which we are managing water. Quite simply, we have provided significant subsidies for a significant period of time in relation to ameliorating against the impacts of the drought. Some of that, of course, is the natural resources management levy; the water component of it, based on the percentage of water that they would get. In addition to that, too, covering the costs involved with transfer of water during that period of time. Quite frankly, for the opposition to come and say that we have not been supportive—we have been and will continue to be able to support irrigators in that region.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: Well, do you want me to talk about the 67 per cent so that you might understand what it is all about?

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: We all pay what is appropriate; however, on numerous occasions, we have been able to, and we will continue to be able to, support the irrigators in that region through the subsidisation of some of the costs they incur.

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