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Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2015-05-05 Daily Xml
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Bills

Water Industry (Third Party Access) Amendment Bill

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 26 March.)

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (16:19): I rise very briefly to speak on the Water Industry (Third Party Access) Amendment Bill 2015. The concerns over this bill have been canvassed extensively by other honourable members. I will not go into detail over these issues again, other than to say that, whilst the idea of a third party access regime has merit, I am equally concerned about the cost-prohibitive nature of the proposal, the potential long-term cost implications for customers and, perhaps most importantly of all, quality assurance and health control issues.

I think that it is fair to say that there has been more gain in the world by providing communities with fresh water than by any other medical advance. Access to clean and safe water must remain as the most paramount consideration when considering any third party access regime. The last thing we want to do here is to jeopardise our water quality by providing for third party access. I note that when I raised this during my briefing, I was assured that the Department of Health would continue to be responsible for water quality assurance; however, I continue to have reservations over this issue.

Like other honourable members, I support third party access to our water infrastructure, but I also have reservations about the practicality of the proposed scheme and remain cautious as to how it will be managed. It also seems very unlikely that the bill's objectives will be fulfilled, especially given the potential cost implications and reduction of income to SA Water. For the record, I indicate that, whilst I will be supporting the second reading of the bill, I intend to give very careful consideration to the responses to questions asked of the minister and to any proposed amendments.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. A.L. McLachlan.

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