DIESEL STORAGE

Dr CLOSE (Port Adelaide) (14:56): My question is to the Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy. Can the minister inform the house of recent developments in relation to diesel storage in Adelaide?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Manufacturing, Innovation and Trade, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (14:57): I want to thank the local member of parliament, in whose electorate the development occurred and her strong support for the industry. Every week I see this state make positive steps towards creating a diverse resources sector. The strength and breadth of our world class minerals and energy projects continue to provide myriad opportunities for all South Australians from the Far North to Eyre Peninsula to right here in Adelaide.

On 22 October I had the privilege to join BP Australia's Paul Waterman to turn the first sod to mark the construction of a $20 million diesel storage facility. That 30 million litre storage tank at Largs North is a symbol of the confidence that BP has in South Australia and in the continued demand for fuel by the state's growing mining sector. BP Australia is spending $20 million here in South Australia creating up to 60 jobs on the banks of the Port River because they understand the underlying strength of our state's resources sector is without question.

The $20 million expansion is the first stage in a $41 million pipeline of infrastructure investment in South Australia being considered by BP for the next five years. Already a key element of South Australia's energy infrastructure, the Largs North Terminal is providing storage that gives our state security of supply. Construction of a new 30 million litre tank to increase diesel storage in Adelaide will help BP to reduce risks, improve reliability and ensure greater security of supply.

It is clear that South Australia's growing mining sector requires energy. Those demands are grown with each new mine that begins construction and with each new shipment of ore that heads to offshore markets. Those businesses investing in South Australia need the sort of reliability of supply that BP plans to deliver when this storage facility comes on line in November 2013.

This milestone is a clear vote of confidence in the continued expansion of our mining industry and a further example of how the benefits of the mining boom are not just helping our regional communities but also have a positive flow-on effect for jobs and investment here in Adelaide. Delivering the benefits of the mining boom to all South Australians is not just one of our priorities, it is a daily reality. Unlike members opposite, who at every opportunity talk down our state and our economy and the state's mineral resources, Energy Projects BP—

Mr PISONI: Point of order, Madam Speaker, standing order 127: personal reflections on members. I ask the minister to withdraw. That is simply not true and it is against standing orders.

The SPEAKER: Thank you, sit down. Minister, perhaps to save an argument, if you go back and change the wording.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Yes, ma'am—the state's mineral and energy projects. BP has the foresight to grasp the opportunities here in South Australia to grow its businesses—

Mr PISONI: Point of order, Madam Speaker: the minister has defied your order.

The SPEAKER: No, I have asked him to go back and reword it. Minister.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I have finished, ma'am.

The SPEAKER: You have finished, thank you.