RAIL ELECTRIFICATION PROJECT

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:18): My question is again to the Minister for Transport: what is the estimated increased cost to the taxpayer of using renewable energy to power electric train services?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Housing and Urban Development) (15:18): This government believes that climate change is real and we believe that we need to, as much as we possibly can, encourage—

Members interjecting:

Mrs Redmond: That wasn't the question.

The SPEAKER: Minister, will you be seated. The member for Heysen's opinion that climate change is not real is—

Mrs Redmond: That isn't what I said. What I said, sir, was that that wasn't the question.

The SPEAKER: I heard differently, but, in any case, you are warned a second time. The Minister for Transport.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: The reality is that renewable energy is not increasing electricity prices. It is, in fact, offering a cheap alternative to very expensive electricity, and over a period of time you will see electricity prices have dropped even further on the basis of advancements in renewable energy. Advancements in hot rocks, advancements in wind, advancements in waste technology and advancements in solar thermal will see all of these aspects decrease electricity prices across South Australia. It is just unfortunate that members opposite don't embrace these alternative energy sources.