House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-07-12 Daily Xml

Contents

SA WATER

Mr WILLIAMS (MacKillop—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:52): Thank you, Madam Speaker. If I can say so myself, I thought my behaviour has been exemplary; but I am delighted, Madam Speaker, that you have noticed. However, my question is to the Minister for Water and the River Murray. Why did the government force SA Water to pay funds from water price increases committed to the desalination plant into Treasury when works were delayed, rather than carry the funds into the next year to pay for those works? The budget papers say that SA Water's payments to Treasury in 2011-12:

...are above budget by $125 million, mainly due to decreased operating expenses and operating costs associated with the delay of the delivery of first water for the desalination plant.

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:52): I thank the honourable member for his question and, again, I think in the explanation that he provided that was contained within the budget papers; it is self-explanatory.

The Hon. J.J. Snelling: That is normally what would happen.

The Hon. P. CAICA: Yes, that is normally what would happen. I cannot add anything to what the honourable member has said—

Mr Williams interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P. CAICA: —with respect to his explanation which is contained within the budget papers.