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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-05-14 Daily Xml
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Question Time

GOVERNMENT PROGRAM

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:53): My question is to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation. Will the minister update the chamber on how the government has helped create a more sustainable South Australia over the last 100 days?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:53): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. I would also like to thank him for the support that he has given the government in helping the Premier, Jay Weatherill, achieve his ambitions and his ambitious agenda for our state.

The work performed by my agency (the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources) is central to achieving the government's key strategic priorities of realising the benefits of the mining boom for all South Australians and maintaining our premium food and wine from our clean and green environment culture. Whilst the department has a broad mandate, its ultimate responsibility is the protection of our environment and the sustainable use of our state's natural resources.

The last 100 days of government have been busy ones indeed. Key highlights from my perspective and my portfolio include the opening of the Adelaide desalination plant—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: —Adelaide's biggest infrastructure project and one that will secure our city's water supply and reduce our reliance on the River Murray for years to come. Those opposite deride this fantastic piece of infrastructure, despite the fact that they were out there with us advocating for a 50 gigalitre plant.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Yes, the Hon. Ms Michelle Lensink, the Hon. Mr Ridgway and the Hon. Mr Stephens say 50—half. That's what they built down to the south—half a road to the south. It takes a Labor government to build a full road to the south. They wanted to build half a desal plant—half a desal plant for South Australians. It takes a Labor government to give South Australians water security to 2050. They don't care, they don't care about the south, they don't care about water—they never will.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: Why don't you read the whole of the Auditor-General's Report?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Well, I did, and we can go to that if the honourable member likes.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: I will only call half of you to order.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: I can certainly do that because, in fact, I went to the very key points of the Auditor-General's comments, where they talked about the Hon. Mr Ridgway's side and how they couldn't even build half a plant. That's all they advocated and they couldn't even build that.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: And long may it remain so. Other key highlights—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: We wonder what half ideas you are going to come up with in the future. They certainly—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Yes, we will believe that when we see a promise, won't we?

Members interjecting:

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Hubris, Mr President.

The PRESIDENT: Arrogance.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Hubris and arrogance.

The PRESIDENT: The honourable minister will get back to the answer.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Other highlights include:

the announcement of another desalination plant at Hawker that will provide significant improvements to the quality of drinking water for the residents of Hawker;

the expiry of the disallowance period of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan on 19 March, which saw the deal struck by Premier Weatherill to provide a better deal for the river and South Australians locked into legislation;

the announcement of a new $17 million Port Wakefield pipeline project to supply additional water to the state's north, an important initiative for industry, agriculture and residents. Honourable members may recall I spoke about this a few weeks ago;

the commencement of the removal of the Currency Creek regulator, an important step in returning the river back to health and, of course, of great importance to locals and traditional owners who live in the region;

the opening of a new resource recovery centre in Adelaide's north that will consolidate recycling in the area, by enabling the recycling of many previously unrecyclable items and provide employment opportunities for people in the northern suburbs, including most particularly people living with disability;

the passage of the Constitution (Recognition of Aboriginal Peoples) Amendment Bill 2013, which added a statement of recognition to this state's constitution to acknowledge Aboriginal peoples and help further the important process of reconciliation in our state; and

the completion of the community consultations on the review of the Aboriginal Lands Trust Act 1996 and the creation of clearer lines of responsibility for Aboriginal affairs within government.

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list and there will be other lists to come.

In the few months I have been Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, I have been constantly impressed by the dedication and commitment of the officers within my department, and those whom I have had the pleasure of meeting so far have held a deep passion for their work in ensuring the protection of their environment and the sustainable management of our natural resources. I have visited numerous regions around state. I have seen a wide range of projects having significant impact on the environment, our water supply and the communities that depend on it, but what I have also witnessed is the desire of these communities for ideas, solutions and, importantly, action.

As you know, South Australia does not have the natural or historical advantages that some other states have. To overcome this, we require effective partnerships between government, industry and labour. We need to make smart decisions that enable us to do more with fewer resources. Indeed, the achievements I discussed earlier are clear examples of how the Jay Weatherill government has used partnerships to provide growth for South Australia.

A little over 100 days ago, the Leader of the Opposition outlined his vision for South Australia, and as everyone in the chamber I am sure will agree, the Leader of the Opposition promised big things. However, 100 days on, all we have seen and heard are old, rehashed policies, endless promises of policies to come and, most importantly, no action. Meanwhile, the Jay Weatherill government has continued full steam to implement its agenda under the Premier's seven key strategic priorities. Already South Australians are seeing through the Leader of the Opposition's strategy of smoke and mirrors and saying whatever the community wants to hear at any particular point in time, but what I can do today is put the following on the record.

The Jay Weatherill government, unlike the Leader of the Opposition, will not sit idly by. Over the next 100 days South Australians can look forward to this government working towards making South Australia a much more sustainable state, a more prosperous state for all South Australians.

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