Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-05-08 Daily Xml

Contents

Clare Valley Water Supply

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (14:34): I have a supplementary question. Can the minister explain why it costs three times as much for on-peak water as off-peak water?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:34): The honourable member again shows her ignorance in these issues.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: Just answer the question.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: I will if the Hon. Mr Ridgway would cease interjecting. One must understand that there are competing demands on the water infrastructure, dependent on various issues, such as the time of year, the season and cost of electricity, of course, because there are peak prices for electricity as well, and pumping water is a primary cost of that.

If the honourable member would like to find out about these issues, I can supply her with a briefing document about the cost of water, its supply and why the prices fluctuate in terms of seasonality and also the pricing effect of electricity.