SA Water

I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Water and the River Murray a question about SA Water.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: On 15 November 2012, the member for Bragg in another place asked the following question of the then minister for water:

Is the minister aware of a complaint to SA water claiming that a Victorian company, Rangedale Drainage Services, has stolen millions of litres of water? Rangedale Drainage Services had a contract with SA Water to clean sewers. A condition of that contract was that the use of water supplied by SA Water and that access be via a metered standpipe. The opposition is informed that RDS has taken water directly from the mains water supply, avoiding metering and therefore payment.

The minister at the time indicated no knowledge of the matter involving the stolen water, and so, on 30 November, the member for Bragg wrote to the minister providing additional information and requesting an investigation.

She received a reply on 28 December. The minister responded by stating that SA Water was currently conducting an internal review which would be completed in early 2013 and a full response would then be provided. To my understanding no response has been provided about the investigation. My questions to the minister are:

1.Has the internal investigation by SA Water been completed?

2.If so, when can we expect a full response on the findings of the investigation?

3.If not, when will it be completed and why has it been delayed?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:28): I thank the honourable member for her most important questions. As I understand it and as I am advised that inquiry is still underway and, as such, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this point in time.