CARBON TAX

Mrs REDMOND (Heysen—Leader of the Opposition) (16:02): My question is to the Minister for Industry and Trade. Has the minister been briefed about the details of the federal carbon tax being announced this Sunday, given that he admitted during estimates that he supports this tax?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Correctional Services) (16:02): I suppose the reverse of that argument is: she has not seen the details yet and yet opposes it. So, Madam Speaker, my point is this: the dinosaurs opposite me that believe that the climate is not warming bury their heads in the sand.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mrs REDMOND: Point of order: the minister is debating. The question was: has he received a briefing on the federal carbon tax, which is going to be announced on Sunday?

The SPEAKER: Thank you. I refer the minister back to the question.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Madam Speaker—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Madam Speaker, I have searched the Liberal Party website in search of their climate change policy, and I have searched their views on—

Mrs REDMOND: Madam Speaker, same point of order: it is a matter of debate. The minister is referring to what is on other websites. We have asked a question about whether he has received a briefing on the federal carbon tax. It is a straightforward question.

The SPEAKER: Thank you. I uphold that point of order. Minister, back to the question.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Madam Speaker, I believe climate change is real. We need to act as a responsible nation—

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mrs REDMOND: Point of order, Madam Speaker: again, the minister is debating the question, rather than answering—

The SPEAKER: No, I don't agree with that; you can sit down now. He is answering the question as he chooses to do. This a lead-up to whether he has been briefed.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Madam Speaker, I believe climate change is real. I believe that we need to act as a responsible nation to reduce our carbon emissions. In principle, Madam Speaker, we believe in a price on carbon. We are working behind the scenes with the federal government, led by our Premier, in negotiations about our important strategic industries.

We will not be premature, we will not come out and attack something before it is announced. We are there arguing the case for South Australia, but I will say this: this government supports a price on carbon, and we will work with the commonwealth to make sure that the impacts of that carbon tax are not felt as harshly as they may be by Nyrstar and OneSteel. The Premier has met with Nyrstar. He meets with companies across South Australia and is negotiating on behalf of the government in relation to a price on carbon. The real question is: what is the opposition going to do? What is their policy on climate change?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Not one press release since the election on climate change—not one!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!