REMOTE AREAS ENERGY SUPPLIES SCHEME

Mr TRELOAR (Flinders) (14:38): My question is to the Minister for Tourism. Now that the minister has had 24 hours to consider my question from yesterday about electricity prices in remote areas, will he admit that he was wrong to suggest that the former Liberal government sold Coober Pedy's electricity infrastructure, and will he now advise the house how he expects the Coober Pedy tourism operator to absorb a $380,000 increase in its electricity bill, taking its total bill to $700,000?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Tourism, Minister for Food Marketing) (14:39): Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.R. RAU: A question has been asked relating to electricity pricing which, as the honourable member would be aware, is not part of the tourism portfolio. I understand, however, that there is already in place an arrangement whereby a subsidy exists for electricity supply in remote areas. If the honourable member's question is directed towards whether that subsidy is adequate or not, that question is not properly directed towards me. I think the honourable member might consider directing the question towards the minister who is in a position to be able to advise the parliament about energy pricing.

Mrs Redmond interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mrs Redmond interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.R. RAU: The question could perhaps easily have been: what am I going to do about whether a road is sealed here or there, and, unfortunately, I would have to give a similar answer, which is: I am not the minister for transport, and so on. But, if the—

The Hon. I.F. Evans interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.R. RAU: But, if the honourable member has a question which relates specifically to tourism, I would be very happy to answer it.