BHP BILLITON

Mr MARSHALL (Norwood—Leader of the Opposition) (14:24): My question is to the Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy. When did the minister first become aware, either officially or unofficially, of the BHP Billiton job cuts that were announced yesterday?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Housing and Urban Development) (14:24): BHP and every mining company that deals with the state government that is ASX listed—I have a policy of never disclosing my conversations with them.

Ms Chapman: He didn't ask that.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Well, I'm answering it the way I want to answer the question. I am very, very careful about any disclosures I have with any company. The Premier answered that question yesterday. I am always concerned when any mining company reduces staff in South Australia. We want to encourage mining companies to invest in South Australia.

That's why we've brought into place royalty discounts, but, of course, BHP announced last year that they were cutting costs in their operations around the world. They were cutting costs in Canada, they were cutting costs in South Africa, they were cutting costs in Australia, in Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia, and of course South Australia is not exempt to those. I am always disappointed when BHP reduces numbers at Olympic Dam. We want to see Olympic Dam grow. It's a world class ore body; we want to see it exploited.

This government, in a bipartisan way with the former leader, gave BHP every opportunity to succeed. We gave them every opportunity to succeed. Royalties, right through to certainty, environmental approvals—we did everything we could to get that mine up and running to expose the open pit, to enlarge the size of the mine. It is still the largest underground mine in Australia. It is still operating here. The minerals aren't going anywhere, and we look forward to BHP one day in the near future exploiting those minerals.