Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-08-07 Daily Xml

Contents

Water Pricing

The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE (15:21): I have a supplementary based on the minister's answer. Can the minister explain—and I did listen and it was one of the more specific responses the minister has given—why we have to charge people for this water, and what happens with the money that you will be receiving for this water, given that things have gone along for years without a charge prior to now?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (15:22): The honourable member just clearly did not listen to my answer.

The Hon. G.E. Gago: He never does.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: He doesn't. I understand he is in a difficult position right now but, really, he needs to go back and read Hansard. Clearly, things have not been working well. Water resources are under pressure and they must be managed, and that management must be paid for. That is why fees and charges are applied. It is a cost recovery process.