DARLING RIVER BLUE-GREEN ALGAL BLOOM
The Hon. DELCIA KITE: My question without notice is to the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing, representing the Minister for the Environment. Because of the reappearance of the blue-green algal bloom in the Darling River, will the Minister advise the House what early action has been taken to prevent a repeat of what occurred last summer when communities living on the Darling River, and in particular Wilcannia and Menindee, were deprived of a supply of drinking water?
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The Hon. R. J. WEBSTER: I am happy to seek a detailed answer for the honourable member, but her question would be more appropriately addressed to the Minister for Natural Resources, who is responsible for the western river systems. Rain is the best thing that could happen to the Murray-Darling River system. I am pleased to inform honourable members, particularly those who have never been further than the Blue Mountains, that last night more than two inches of rain fell west of Wilcannia, in the Tilba area, which is one of the most drought-stricken areas. In fact, a good friend of some Government members, Murray McClure, advised that more than two inches of rain had fallen. This is the best rain the area has had in about three years. Unfortunately, there is no legislation or regulation available to legislate or regulate blue-green algae out of existence. It is a climatic phenomenon and one which -
The Hon. Dr Meredith Burgmann: It is because the cotton farmers illegally take water from the rivers.
The Hon. R. J. WEBSTER: They have not had any water this year. The honourable member is so ignorant it is pathetic. She should visit the country and see what is going on. She does not know what she is talking about. The only Opposition member who ever asks a question about the country is the Hon. J. R. Johnson. The truth is that no Opposition member knows what is going on but they ask stupid questions.