AFTER three years overlooking the most complex period of water reform in South Australia, State Water and River Murray Minister Paul Caica has been unceremoniously dumped from cabinet.
A victim of factional game playing within the Labor party, the hardworking ex-fireman was asked to retire from cabinet only two months after the Murray-Darling Basin Plan was signed off.
Lower Murray Irrigators vice-chairman Richard Reedy said irrigators were shocked and dismayed at the decision and criticised the lack of continuous leadership.
"It's this eternal fascination in the Labor party of having the right numbers of either left or right," he said.
"But we've only just gotten over Karlene Maywald (Water Minister until 2010), and Paul's done an excellent job taking up the reins.
"Now we've got to work with another Minister."
Premier Jay Weatherill said Mr Caica was instrumental in delivering a "healthy future for the Murray".
"It was an historic win, which had eluded SA since Federation," he said.
Mr Caica has been replaced by MLC Ian Hunter MLC, who took on all Mr Caica's portfolios – Water and the River Murray; Sustainability, Environment and Conservation; and Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation.
*Full report in Stock Journal, January 24 issue, 2013.