BHP BILLITON

Mr MARSHALL (Norwood—Leader of the Opposition) (14:26): A supplementary, Mr Speaker, and my supplementary of course is to the Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy. Given that the minister has told the parliament that he is unable to tell us when he first became aware of the job cuts, can he tell us when he conveyed that information to the Premier?

The SPEAKER: And that is an authentic supplementary question. Minister.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Housing and Urban Development) (14:26): I have nothing to add to my previous answer. Quite frankly, the one thing the Leader of the Opposition I think needs to understand, if he wishes to one day receive a commission—the truth is, when ministers who regulate ASX listed companies—

An honourable member: When?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: If. When ministers who regulate ASX listed companies—my public pronouncements, things that I say publicly on the record, have consequences. They have consequences to the market; they have consequences to shareholders.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: I call the member for Davenport to order.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I'm fascinated by the new tactic of the opposition by attacking News Limited for their front page story, because it was News Limited that published the $20 trillion figure, not the state government. So, I am fascinated with the new tactic to attack The Advertiser. It must be part of their new cunning strategy to try and win office. The reality is, we want to encourage BHP to grow, we want to encourage BHP to invest, and we have given them every opportunity to do so.