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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-06-12 Daily Xml
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MURRAY RIVER

Mrs GERAGHTY (Torrens) (14:49): My question is to the Minister for Water and the River Murray. How is the broader South Australian community playing its part in returning water to the River Murray?

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:49): I thank the honourable member for her question. As has been consistently highlighted by the state government's response to the proposed basin plan, most South Australians will not accept anything less than a healthy river and oppose our irrigators bearing the brunt of returning water to the basin's environment when the problem has been created by overallocation by upstream states.

It has been made clear in our submission to the authority that while we will achieve our 101 gigalitre local reduction target, as set out in the draft plan, we will accept no further requirement to return water being placed on our state or on our irrigators. Further to this, as the Premier stated last week, we do not expect our irrigators to be the only group to carry the burden of achieving our 101 gigalitre target. That is why SA Water is offering to sell around 20 billion litres of water to the federal government for environmental flows down the River Murray. This contribution has been made possible because of a number of factors, including the end of the most severe—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: —drought on record. It is important to note that the magnificent efforts of urban and regional water users in reducing their overall water use through conservation measures, as well as the government's decision to underpin our water security with the construction of the Adelaide desalination plant, have both been crucial enabling factors in this regard. The decision to offer this water to the federal government reinforces to South Australian irrigators that the city stands shoulder to shoulder with them in the fight to return the River Murray to health. The 20 billion litres is expected to be enough to ensure that South Australia meets the local reduction target called for under the current basin plan, without any further contribution being needed from irrigators.

This contribution also comes on top of a six billion litre contribution from the state government in recognition of the commonwealth government's $228 million contribution towards the cost of expanding the capacity of the desalination plant from 50 to 100 gigalitres. This is yet another demonstration of this government's determination when it comes to taking the necessary action to achieve a healthy river and support vibrant and productive river communities—something which, sadly, we are yet to see from the upstream states and the authority.

It also demonstrates that South Australians, be they city or country, irrigator or domestic consumer, gardener or primary producer, remain united and prepared to play their part in our fight to restore the River Murray to health. We would welcome the opposition joining the rest of us, instead of running up the white flag at the first sign of grapeshot.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr Venning interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Schubert, behave!

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