Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-02-24 Daily Xml

Contents

EDWARDSTOWN GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:31): When the minister was the minister for environment was she aware of this groundwater contamination?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises) (14:31): To the best of my knowledge, no. It is so long ago and there are so many issues I have to deal with, so I actually can't confirm one way or the other, but to the best of my knowledge, no.

It is not my responsibility; it is the responsibility of the minister for environment, and he is managing this situation extremely well. I am incredibly confident in the skill and expertise of the EPA, so it is in good hands. We know that South Australia has a history of contaminants being buried. History shows us—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: —that, back in the good old days, that's how industry dealt with its waste: it simply dug a hole and buried it, and we know that that has occurred throughout South Australia.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Well, you are right about something—it was the bad old days. So, we know this has occurred throughout South Australia at various times. As I said, the current minister is doing a good job in managing this, and I have every confidence in the skill and expertise of the EPA.