SOLAR POWER PROJECT, UMUWA

Mr MARSHALL (Norwood) (14:39): My question is to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation. Will the minister tell the house how many millions of dollars the federal and state governments have invested in the solar power project at Umuwa on the lands, how many days it operated for, whose advice did the minister take before mothballing this facility, and the reason for the closure of this facility?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation.

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI (Hartley—Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers, Minister Assisting the Premier in Social Inclusion) (14:39): I thank the member for this important question. In fact, I think it is a question he asked me in estimates just recently.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I cannot hear the minister.

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: What we need to do on the lands, I think, from time to time, is use innovation to make progress on the lands. This was a federal Liberal government initiative and I think there is scope, amongst all of the other work that we do, especially around essential services, for all of us to explore innovation around service delivery. This was one of them and we were happy to partner with the federal Liberal government and give it a go, because that is what we need to do.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Kavel, you are warned.