Transcript: Doorstop Interview , Adelaide
Penny Wong
posted Monday, 19 July 2010
E & O E – PROOF ONLY
SUBJECT: Stormwater harvesting and reuse; Population; Climate change
WONG: Thanks very much for coming. It’s great to be here today with the Labor candidate for Boothby, Annabelle Digance, and also Felicity-Ann Lewis, the Mayor for Marion, to make an important announcement, an announcement about water.
As Prime Minister Julia Gillard has made clear, to protect our environment, natural resources and quality of life, we need to work to establish a sustainable Australia. We need a sustainable Australia. When you are talking about sustainability, you need to be aware of the limits that are imposed by virtue of the limited resources we have in this land. And one of those limits is water. And those of us who live in this fair state of South Australia understand more than many the limits that are imposed on water use by our environment, by climate change and as a result of drought.
So it is really very important that we work to secure water supplies, that we work to diversify our water supplies and that we work to protect our natural drinking water. And that’s what this project today will help us do. This is a stormwater project, here in Oaklands Park which is all about securing future local water supplies. It is a project which will ensure that over time, 200 million litres of water that would previously have come from our precious drinking supplies now can come from stormwater that’s been trapped, that’s been treated, and that can be used on parklands around the city of Marion.
It is a great project, a project that we’re funding to the tune of $3.7 million. It has also been jointly funded by the local council as well as the State Government. And I want to acknowledge the contribution both of the council and of the State Government. Another stormwater project here in Adelaide. Another project that is about ensuring we can secure our water supplies. We can use the stormwater that we see running off. We can reuse it, put it on our parklands, put it on our parks to ensure we preserve our precious drinking water supplies.
JOURNALIST: Would you like to see stormwater reused for drinking one day?
WONG: I think ultimately those are issues that state governments and local governments will consider: what is the best way to use different aspects of water. But I have made this point: there is a lot we can do with stormwater without having to deal with the technical and cost issues that your question refers to. Because we know we use our drinking water in lots of ways. Well we could easily use treated stormwater, and this project is an example of that. Let’s put treated stormwater on our parks rather than using our precious drinking water.
JOURNALIST: On the matter of water security, we haven’t had a clear position from the Government on the desalination plant guaranteed from the state that we will reduce our reliance on the River Murray. Are you going to give that the go ahead? What is your position on it?
WONG: Look the money is there, the money is available. We’ve had very good constructive discussions with Minister Caica. Obviously the election has been called so some of those haven’t been finalised in all the detail that we would have hoped. But I have got no doubt we will be able to move forward, to fund this project and to get to an agreement with Minister Caica about how we reduce our reliance on the Murray.
I think the real question for South Australians is this: if we are serious about moving forward on water, then we wouldn’t be looking to having Barnaby Joyce as Water Minister. Because we know what Barnaby Joyce will do under a Tony Abbott government if elected, is to wind back water purchase, to wind back or get rid of the national authority for the River Murray that we know we all need. That’s what would happen under Tony Abbott.
JOURNALIST: So is your support guaranteed then? Is that what you’re saying?
WONG: We have absolutely guaranteed the funding. We just had details in relation to the delivery of that, which we are working through and I’m confident can finalise with Paul Caica.
JOURNALIST: The doubling of the capacity was funded by the Federal Government. The Opposition today says that’s the reason why there’s so much disruption in the digging up of roads for pumping stations and also the speed in which the desalination plant is being built, which has led to possibly an industrial accident at the site. What do you say to that?
WONG: Well first on the industrial accident, I hope we can all stay very dignified in relation to that issue. Obviously all of us, regardless of which side of politics, would extend our sympathies to the families and friends of the person involved. I understand there is an investigation by WorkSafe underway. We obviously would be waiting until that investigation is concluded before it would be appropriate to make any comment other than to offer our condolences and our sympathies.
In relation to the opposition’s claims – it is interesting, isn’t it? Under the previous Howard Government, of which Tony Abbott was a minister, their position was they did not want to invest in urban water. They did not want to invest in projects like the one like I am opening today. They did not want to invest in the many millions of dollars that we have put into stormwater and urban water around Australia, including in South Australia.
Let’s remember under this Government, we have invested sufficient to ensure around three quarters of Adelaide’s water supplies come from either desalination, stormwater or reuse. That is an important objective and not one that has been shared by the Opposition. They are very good at criticising. But we know when it comes to water security, they would take us backwards.
JOURNALIST: Minister, there has been some questions raised about the meaning of the terms sustainability, given the importance of water and that equation. Are you concerned that the message is not getting through? Or there is not a clear message about what is a sustainable population for Australia?
WONG: I think Julia Gillard has made her position on this very clear. We need to focus on a sustainable Australia rather than a big Australia. We need to recognise the limits of our natural resources. She has laid out a process by which we will talk through that, have that conversation as a community. And we will continue to back projects like this one which are about securing Australia’s water supplies, recognising the limits of our water security unless we do that.
JOURNALIST: Do we need a number though in terms of a population?
WONG: I think the process that Julia and Tony Burke have outlined is an important one. It is one that will enable us to have the discussion about how we manage not only the size of our population, but where our population is. We opened this campaign with announcements about improving housing availability in some of our growing regional cities.
JOURNALIST: Engineers Australia yesterday released a report giving South Australia’s stormwater infrastructure a D rating, saying it hasn’t improved in the past five years. What is the point of funding new announcements like this if there is no money for local government to maintain infrastructure?
WONG: We are funding local government. In fact, I think I stood next to not only Felicity but other local government representatives in South Australia and in fact across Australia, backing local solutions to their water challenges. That’s the great thing about this program. The important thing about this Government’s priority is we have backed local solutions to issues such as water security. And I am very pleased to be here to do that again today.
JOURNALIST: But the maintenance for the structure that will now be passed to the local government?
WONG: We have said, unlike Tony Abbott’s Coalition, that the Federal Government has a role in urban water. That means we will back investment, we will put money in. Obviously there are other responsibilities of state and local government. But we will invest money and resources because we think it is an important national priority to ensure water security for Australians across Australia.
JOURNALIST: Where does the Government stand on climate change?
WONG: Well Michael, it was interesting we see Mr Abbott over the last 48 hours. Yesterday he said he did not want a price on pollution. He did not want to put a limit on pollution. Now he is trying to pretend he did not say that. A bit like he is trying to pretend that he won’t bring back the worst elements of Workchoices.
We have made clear our position that we do believe we should put a limit on Australia’s pollution. Ms Gillard has made that clear. And we will have more to say on our climate change policy over the course of this election.
JOURNALIST: I mean at least Tony Abbott is talking about his government’s position – his party’s position in terms of climate change. When will we find out about climate change?
WONG: As I said Michael, I think I am very happy to talk about climate change. I think for example climate change and water are two very important policy areas that happen to be in my portfolio.
JOURNALIST: Carbon tax or an ETS?
WONG: What I am saying in terms of more detail about the Government’s position on climate change – we will have more to say on that in due course.
JOURNALIST: Will the preference deal with the Greens result in a greener climate change policy...
WONG: One at a time.
JOURNALIST: Isn’t it a bit gutless of your Government?
WONG: No not at all. We will make those announcements in due course.
JOURNALIST: Will the preference deal with the Greens result in a greener climate change policy?
WONG: Look, I am not party to those discussions. I heard Bob Brown saying today he wasn’t party to those discussions. Obviously those discussions occur between representatives of the parties. I could not possibly comment on those issues.
What I will say in terms of climate change policy is that we will be guided by what we believe is in the best interests of the nation.
JOURNALIST: Just on the issue of the desal plant and the pipeline, that will get an intra-mains system, if that project will wipe the value off people’s houses by at least $100,000, should they be given compensation?
WONG: We are funding the desalination plant or co-funding that. We are not funding the pipeline to which you refer. And any questions on that should be directed to the State Government.
JOURNALIST: Are you involved in the development of the climate change policy that Julia Gillard is going to put forward?
WONG: I am the Minister for Climate Change. It would be logical for me to do so.
JOURNALIST: So you will still be the Minister if she is successful in winning Government?
WONG: I am obviously involved very closely in whatever announcements we are going to make in the course of this campaign in my portfolio areas.
In relation to what happens after the election – well first we have to be returned. So my priority is to do what I am doing today – to get out and speak with the Australian people, on this occasion South Australians, about why I think Julia Gillard will take this nation forward, why I believe Tony Abbott will take this nation backwards and reintroduce the worst aspects of Workchoices.
JOURNALIST: Are you too linked to Kevin Rudd’s failure on climate change to be able to sell that message effectively?
WONG: That might be something you want to write about Michael. And if you do, that is up to you.
JOURNALIST: I think Australians are interested in it.
WONG: That’s fine. If you want to – if that’s your view, that’s your view. What I...
JOURNALIST: Should we not be writing about climate change?
WONG: If I can finish my answer before you ask another question. I am happy to answer another one after that. What I say about climate change is this. There is a very clear choice. A Gillard Government will put a limit on Australia’s pollution. A Gillard Government recognises the importance of climate change.
Tony Abbott has made clear he does not want to put a limit on pollution although he is trying to pretend otherwise today. And Tony Abbott has made clear his view about climate change. He thinks it is absolute crap. They are his words. That is the way he will approach this issue. So there will be a very clear choice on election day on this issue.
JOURNALIST: But that was not my question, with respect. It was about whether or not you are too linked to Kevin Rudd’s failure on the issue to be able to effectively sell it to the Australian people.
WONG: Look in terms of climate change, the reason we do not have a price on carbon, the reason we do not have a limit on Australia’s pollution, is because Tony Abbott took control of the Liberal Party with the support of people like Senator Minchin, from our own great state of South Australia, who thinks climate change is a left-wing conspiracy to de-industrialise the western world.
I don’t believe those views are responsible. And I do not believe those views reflect the concern most Australians feel about this issue. What they want –
JOURNALIST: But that is not why Kevin Rudd failed.
WONG: Well Michael, I am not going to get into an argument with you. I do not believe that those are the views of most Australians. I think people do want clear policy on this issue. We have made our position clear. And as the Prime Minister has said, we will have more to say by the end of the campaign
JOURNALIST: I just have a question for. As the member for Boothby – sorry as the candidate for Boothby – do you feel that you have got a better shot than Nicole Cornes this time around?
ANNABELLE DIGANCE: I think Nicole ran a really good, solid campaign. And I think that I am already running a good, solid campaign as well. I have been out doorknocking, running community forums as well. And I certainly intend to give it a really good shot. I am there to win. We are certainly here to win.
JOURNALIST: So where do you stand on the issue of climate change? What do you think your party should be doing?
DIGANCE: I certainly stand on the issue of climate change with the Gillard Government and I think we are heading in the right direction.
JOURNALIST: So what position do they take?
WONG: I think we have answered the question.
JOURNALIST: (inaudible) pipeline and residents and say that this is an election issue, like it or not. What’s your view on the disruption to values?
DIGANCE: I think it is a state issue and I think that is really – I certainly would be an advocate on those particular issues. But I think it really does rest with the state. And I think it has been handled very well so far.
JOURNALIST: So you are going to keep that at arm’s distance? Not even (inaudible)?
DIGANCE: I said I would be an advocate if I need be.
WONG: Can I just say something. We can focus on one other issue. I want to actually congratulate Felicity and a number of her staff, other councillors and former councillors who are here today who have advocated for this project for some time. We are really pleased to be able to support it, that it has got across the line as a project that we are able to fund. One of the great things I have enjoyed about being Water Minister has been that we have been able to support lots of local government projects; projects all around Australia. I have got to say South Australia has done a good job on this. So well done everybody for all the hard work.
Tags: Australia, Change, Climate, Sustainable