Page 5718 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 6 December 2011
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all the water in the territory back into the basin. That is now being appropriately recognised in the SDL proposed for us in the draft basin plan.
What this means for the territory is greater security around our water supply. It means we can plan with much greater confidence for population growth, not just in our city but also in Queanbeyan and Jerrabomberra, which of course are also serviced by this same sustainable diversion limit. We have delivered certainty and confidence for those communities, and that is the very important achievement by this Labor government, one that we have been proud to work with the federal Labor government on, to achieve this very important outcome for water security for our community.
MRS DUNNE: A supplementary question, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Mrs Dunne, a supplementary.
MRS DUNNE: Minister, are you aware of any views that would contradict the government’s view that this is a good outcome for the ACT?
MR CORBELL: I am sure that there are other views out there. I am certainly conscious of your views, Mr Speaker, in relation to this matter. Indeed, Mr Speaker, I saw you suggest that we should be taking a reduction in our sustainable diversion limit. Quite frankly, that position is untenable. How is it that the Greens can take the view that there should be a reduction in the amount of water available to this community and that that reduction comes in the context of growing population? It is this hairshirt approach to the issue of water supply.
What we need is a sustainable diversion limit for growth. We are one of the fastest growing urban centres in the basin. We are the largest urban centre in the basin. Our population growth is driven overwhelmingly by natural increase. It is not about immigration; it is about natural increase. We need water supply for the future. To suggest that there should be a reduction in the total amount of water available to the territory is simply untenable. Mr Speaker, I am very pleased that the Murray-Darling Basin Authority does not concur with your position.
Ms Gallagher: I ask that all further questions be placed on the notice paper.
Rostered ministers question time
Minister for Police and Emergency Services
Mitchell—chemical fire
MS LE COUTEUR: Following the Mitchell explosion earlier this year and the discovery of the limitations of the emergency warning system which uses text messages to mobile phones and automated calls to phone lines, you have commented publicly that you will be discussing the problems with the federal government. Can you please update the Assembly on those discussions?
MR CORBELL: I thank Ms Le Couteur for the question. I did raise these issues with my ministerial counterparts, including the federal attorney, Mr McClelland, at a
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