BHP BILLITON

Mr WILLIAMS (MacKillop—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (16:38): Madam Speaker, I put on the record my congratulations to you for your elevation to that high office. I am sure you will rule the house with an iron fist. I look forward to some of my colleagues on the other side receiving—

The SPEAKER: I come from the steel city!

Mr WILLIAMS: My question is to the Treasurer. Treasurer, what discussions have you had with BHP Billiton regarding the new 40 per cent tax on mining profits and has the government any concerns regarding the impact of the commonwealth government's tax proposal on BHP Billiton's plans to develop an expanded Olympic Dam mine and produce new jobs in the state's economy?

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Federal/State Relations, Minister for Defence Industries) (16:38): It is a good question and it is an entirely appropriate question, but can I say—and I will address the question—that in the lead-up, and certainly over the past 12 or 18 months, the opposition has done everything they can to frustrate and to put offside BHP Billiton. Whether—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Had they had their way, they would force BHP Billiton to build the desalination plant—

Mr PISONI: Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. The question is about the Rudd government's resource tax of 40 per cent. I ask that you direct the minister to relevance, please.

The SPEAKER: I don't think that is a point of order.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: I am simply making the point that the opposition was very hostile to BHP, so much so that the leader of the opposition refused to meet with BHP.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: It is true.

Mrs Redmond interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: I think the leader's comments were loud enough to be picked up by all on this side and all in the chamber. I would ask your indulgence, Madam Chair, for me to put on the public record that that was an outrageous reflection on a professional, in Kym Winter-Dewhirst.

Mr PISONI: Point of order, Madam Speaker.

The SPEAKER: The member for Unley has a point of order.

Mr PISONI: It is disorderly to respond to interjections.

The SPEAKER: No point of order.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Kym Winter-Dewhirst is an outstanding professional. For the leader of the opposition to refer to him as a Labor staffer—

Mr PISONI: Point of order.

The SPEAKER: The member for Unley has a point of order.

Mr PISONI: This question was about the Rudd government's 40 per cent resource tax. The Treasurer so far has not addressed any part of that question.

The SPEAKER: The member for Unley's point of order has some relevance, but I think it has been carried on by his side also. I would ask the Deputy Premier to get back to the substance of the question.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Thank you, madam. I will simply say that the senior government relations officer has been at Santos for many years and is a former Howard government staffer and a former Alexander Downer government staffer. He is totally professional. I make no reflection on him, so you should not make any reflection on Kym Winter-Dewhirst.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Deputy Premier will continue.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: He is a former Democrat. In terms of BHP, as the minister responsible for the Olympic Dam project I have had a number of discussions with BHP as recently as the last 48 hours. Those discussions will remain private between the government and BHP Billiton for obvious market sensitive reasons.

Mr Williams: Robert Gottliebsen made a very good speech last night.

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Who did?

Mr Williams: Robert Gottliebsen.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: I don't know who Robert Gottliebsen is? I have known him well for 15 years.

Mrs Redmond interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Sorry?

Mrs Redmond interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: I did. You're interjecting all the time today. You are very—

Mrs Redmond interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition and Deputy Leader of the Opposition, can we get back to question time please?

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: You've got quite bitter since you've lost, haven't you? You are still very angry. I thought the treatment of Martin might have just been a passing phase, but obviously not.

It is no secret. To quote my mentor, the Premier, breaking news: BHP is not happy with the tax increase. I can assure you it is not happy, and that is pretty obvious. As we have said in this house, as a government that has worked for eight years to ensure that Olympic Dam goes ahead, Olympic Dam will go ahead. We will do all we can to ensure that that occurs.

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: He's making an early move, an early bid. The member for Norwood has had a look over his competition and from day one he says, 'This is for me; I reckon I can do this.' Have a look at him. He has heard the member for Adelaide out there staking her leadership credentials at whatever function she attends, so we have a bit of jostling going on. I would just watch our friend the member for Stuart. I've got money on the member for Stuart; I think he will be the one to come through.

Mr WILLIAMS: Madam Speaker, I have a point of order. For a few brief moments in the middle of his answer the Deputy Premier almost got to answering the question. I ask you to draw him back to the question.

The SPEAKER: Order! I uphold the point of order. Would you get back to the question. We are already 30 minutes into question time and we have had two questions.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: I think I was naughty, Madam Speaker, and I accept your ruling.

The SPEAKER: Your were naughty but I forgive you this time.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: I accept your ruling, but we will watch with great interest the game plays opposite. All I would say to the member for Norwood is 'a little more subtlety'.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Subtlety has never been my strong point or one of my qualities, but I am developing that skill. As I said, I have had discussions with BHP and those discussions will remain confidential.