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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-02-15 Daily Xml
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MURRAY-DARLING BASIN PLAN

Mrs VLAHOS (Taylor) (14:27): Can the Premier advise on the community feedback the government has received to date regarding the draft Murray-Darling Basin Plan that was released late last year?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Minister for State Development) (14:27): I thank the member for this question. Since the release of the draft basin plan, both the Minister for the River Murray and I have met with people along the length of the River Murray and many others interested in the future of this great river. These meetings have been an important part of developing a strong South Australian position in relation to the river, one that all South Australians can unite behind.

From what people have told us there is widespread agreement that only a united South Australian response to the plan will give us the best possible outcomes for our state. In fact, areas of agreement dominate the discussions. There is a genuine understanding that this process represents a once-in-a-lifetime chance to restore this river to health.

People agree that only a healthy river can sustain the livelihoods of people who depend on it. They agree that any decisions made regarding the amount of water that needs to be returned to the system must be evidence-based and underpinned by the best available science. They agree that South Australia's responsible actions in capping our take on the river 40-odd years ago and investing in the most efficient irrigation in the system needs to be reflected in the final basin plan.

The main areas of discord, I must say, seem to be from those opposite and their federal colleagues. Indeed, it is really quite difficult to find out what is the position of those opposite. In commenting on the draft basin plan members opposite and their federal counterparts have argued this: the member for MacKillop, 28 November 2011, 'South Australia looks like it is going to be dudded over this.' Same day, member for MacKillop, 'The draft plan as far as it goes could be okay.'

The Hon. P.F. Conlon: On the same day?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: On the same day. Senator Simon Birmingham, 28 November 2011, 'There is just no certainty in this plan.' Then, federal member for Mayo, Jamie Briggs, in a letter to his constituents in December 2011 said, 'There are some encouraging elements in the plan.' Then, we have the federal member for Sturt, Christopher Pyne, on a web post on 5 December 2011, the lack of information has 'shrouded the plan in secrecy'. Then, finally, we have Mr Secker on 14 February in the Murray Pioneer saying, 'Overall, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority has got the balance right.' This complete muddle in thought from those opposite reflects something which I think—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: —we have become familiar with. This is something about which South Australians feel strongly. They expect all members of parliament in this state to represent the same united position on standing up for this river. The reason you get—

Mrs Redmond interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: What were you doing down at Mount Gambier? What on earth was put in your—

The Hon. J.J. Snelling: She was pulling knives out of her back.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: That's right.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: What did they put in your coffee down there? You have come back in such an agitated mood. What was the order of business? Was it that we should muscle up like Tony Abbott? Should we try to—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mrs REDMOND: Point of order, Madam Speaker. The point of order is on the relevance of this answer. The minister is rambling—

The SPEAKER: Yes, I will uphold that point of order. The Premier will get back to the substance of the question.

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: A further point of order, Madam Speaker. It has been the constant interjections that led the Premier off the path. If the other side wish standing orders to be obeyed, perhaps they could start on their own side.

The SPEAKER: Thank you, minister for transport. Premier, could you conclude your answer.

Mrs Redmond interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition!

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Thank you, Madam Speaker, and, perhaps I could say to the opposition, because it is central for us having a unified position in South Australia, that if they could perhaps have a meeting (rather than discuss their tactics about how they are going to disrupt the parliament) to discuss a united position in relation to the River Murray, we will be in a much—

Mrs Redmond interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: —stronger position to get the best possible—

Mrs Redmond interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I warn the Leader of the Opposition.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: —outcome for the river and for our state.

The SPEAKER: The member for Chaffey.

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