A Federal Coalition decision to further invest in water-saving infrastructure to reduce the water buyback target for the Murray-Darling Basin has been welcomed by South Australian irrigators and river communities.

Shadow River Murray and Water Minister Michelle Lensink and Member for Chaffey Tim Whetstone are calling on Premier Weatherill to guarantee South Australia’s remaining commitment to the Murray Darling Basin Plan will not fall on irrigators.

Shadow River Murray and Water Minister Michelle Lensink and Member for Chaffey Tim Whetstone are calling on Premier Weatherill to guarantee South Australia’s remaining commitment to the Murray Darling Basin Plan will not fall on irrigators.

South Australians are being encouraged to spread the word and warn family and friends travelling over the Easter holidays not to threaten the State’s fruit fly free status by bringing fruit and vegetables into fruit fly exclusion zones.

As the Riverland fights to eradicate Queensland fruit fly, a Mediterranean fruit fly outbreak has been declared today at Sellicks Beach in Adelaide.

Critical weaknesses in the Weatherill Labor Government’s fruit fly strategy have been exposed with the horticultural pest passing through quarantine roadblocks, and now detected in the Riverland.

Mr WHETSTONE (Chaffey) (12:52): I too rise to support the motion and also the amendment put forward by the member for Morphett today. PATS is obviously a very important part of the health system for people who live in the regions and who are seeking medical treatment. It was brought to my attention in my first term as the member representing the people of Chaffey that the reimbursement process has serious flaws.

Mr WHETSTONE (Chaffey) (15:21): I rise today to showcase some of the achievements of constituents in the electorate of Chaffey over the last couple of months, claiming state, national and international awards, and it has certainly kept me busy acknowledging these achievements. These awards include the 2013 Advantage SA Awards which I attended in Murray Bridge last Friday evening.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (14:22): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before directing a question to the Minister for Water and the River Murray on the subject of the environmental water provision required for the desalination plant funding.

Mr WHETSTONE (Chaffey) (12:26): I, too, rise to support this bill to protect the title of our paramedics here in South Australia. As the member for Morphett and the member for Stuart have said, the paramedic profession in Australia is currently not regulated, despite consistent calls for it to be included as part of our national registration and accreditation scheme for health professions.