[Greens-Media] MARK PARNELL MLC: SA Water finally updates Charter

[Parnell]

Media Release
Tuesday 8th April, 2008 

SA Water finally updates Charter


Greens MLC Mark Parnell has welcomed the announcement by the Minister
for Water Security Karlene Maywald that the Charter governing SA Water
will finally be updated - 18 months after he first called for a review -
but has called for much greater reform of SA Water's laws and governing
documents.

"It's taken a hell of a long time, but I'm glad it's finally happened.
Up until this review, SA Water's Charter said diddly squat about the
environment or saving water - it was all about profits and money," said
Mr Parnell.

"In the face of climate change, water shortages and the dire state of
the once great River Murray, South Australians expect much much more
from the lead Government water agency," he said. 

Mark Parnell has a Private Member's Bill before State Parliament that
will insert requirements for water conservation and ecologically
sustainable development into the Public Corporations Act and the SA
Water Corporation legislation, as well as a specific water conservation
target for SA Water.  

Mr Parnell is also chairing an Upper House select committee into SA
Water. 

"Although changing the Charter is a great first step, the Charter is not
the most important document.  We need to change the laws that govern SA
Water to force them to put water security and conservation first.

"Also, we need to reform the annual 'Performance Statement' that
includes Mr Foley's profit target.  

"While SA Water are forced to meet a minimum guaranteed profit level,
broader public policy priorities like the health of the River Murray
will always come second," he said. 

	
For further comment contact Craig Wilkins on 0434 007 893



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