[Greens-Media] Select Committee Needed on desal plant

[Franks, Office]

27th October 2010



Desal Plant Information Only 'Tip of Iceberg'

Select Committee Needed Now



In Parliament today the Greens will move for an Upper House Select Committee into the operation, management and worker safety issues dogging the Adelaide Desal Plant project.

This follows on from this morning's Public Works Committee inquiry, where representatives of Adelaide Aqua and SA Water faced a barrage of questions from the Opposition, which will be continued in two weeks time.

Greens' Spokesperson for Industrial Relations, Tammy Franks, said:

"This morning we heard even more concerns that need addressing about the safety practices, costing and timeframes for the Adelaide Desalination Plant.

"This Public Works Committee inquiry is an important first step, but a Select Committee will have a much broader scope of reference and will be able to bring previously unheard voices to the table.

 "Workers safety must always be prioritised ahead of deadlines and everything must be done to ensure alleged work safety breaches and costing issues are resolved.

"A Select Committee should be welcomed by the Rann Government as an opportunity to restore public confidence in this project.

"Considering the scope, magnitude and amount of taxpayer dollars going into the project, it is important that all of these concerns are aired and addressed."

A Select Committee will have the power to make recommendations to the Government for the betterment of future public works.

The Committee also will be able to take submissions from all members of the public with concerns about the project as well as evidence from a wide range of witnesses.



For comment call Lauren Zwaans on 0457 549 938 or 8237 9410


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