Question Time

CARBON TAX

Mrs REDMOND (Heysen—Leader of the Opposition) (14:19): My question is again to the Treasurer. With Prime Minister Gillard in town today, what representations has the Treasurer made, or will he be making, to the Prime Minister about the cost of living impacts of the federal government's carbon tax on South Australians?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Treasurer, Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education) (14:20): Look, once we see the details of the carbon tax, we will make representations, but the simple fact is—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for MacKillop!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: The simple fact is that this government believes that climate change is a direct threat to the welfare of South Australians, to the welfare of the South Australian economy. We think it makes sense.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: The climate change deniers on the other side can put their head in the sand and pretend it is not happening, but the simple fact is that climate change represents a significant threat to the South Australian economy. The risk of severe drought—you can imagine what effect that might have on an economy which depends so highly on—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mrs REDMOND: Point of order, Madam Speaker: the matter of relevance. My question was specifically about the cost of living impacts for South Australians of the carbon tax, not climate change.

The SPEAKER: Order! Sit down, that's enough. There is no point of order. The Treasurer is explaining why he believes that the carbon tax is acceptable.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Of course, as the federal government presents its plans—

Mrs Redmond interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition, you are warned.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: —for the carbon tax and how it is going to work, and what remissions and offsets there will be for companies and employers, then we will have a close look at it. That will be the appropriate time to have a look at it. In the meantime, we have certainly made our voice heard with the commonwealth when it has come to other matters. Madam Speaker, you of course will know—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: You, of course, would be very familiar with the representations which this state made to the commonwealth with regard to the resources rent tax, and the changes the commonwealth made because of the strong representation made to the commonwealth on that matter. And, once again, we will make strong representations if we think that any proposed carbon tax is going to have a detrimental effect on South Australian jobs. But, in the meantime, we stand shoulder to shoulder with the federal government, because we believe—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: I mean, all the farmers on the other side—what's going to happen to their property values if there is a severe drought, and we have ongoing, severe and more frequent droughts? What effect on the South Australian economy will there be if the Goyder line is moved south, and—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: —the area of South Australia that can be cropped is reduced because of climate change? This side of the house is not going to stick its head in the sand like the opposition.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

An honourable member interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Kavel, behave. I think that was you. I think it was your voice; I'll be watching you.