Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Xenophon for his question. As the senator indicated, he asked a number of questions yesterday. Minister Burke has supplied me with the following information.

The Commonwealth has committed $1.2 million to the South Australian government to undertake a feasibility study and to develop a business case for the River Murray Improvement Program. In accordance with this agreement, South Australia was required to submit by 21 December 2012 a draft business case that met milestone requirements specified in the business case funding agreement.

On 21 December 2012 the Commonwealth received for discussion purposes part of what was described by South Australian officials as a preliminary draft business case for the $180 million River Murray Improvement Program, with further material provided by South Australia on 10 and 17 January 2013. Further detail was sought from South Australia. Discussions on requirements continued between South Australia and Commonwealth officials during January and February 2013. South Australia submitted a partial draft business case to the Commonwealth on 28 February 2013, with other material provided on 1 March 2013.