Future Fund

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (15:03): Given that this announcement was made when the Premier himself was the treasurer, can the current Treasurer explain to the house whether he agrees with the Premier on the establishment of the future fund or whether he agrees with his Under Treasurer, Brett Rowse, who said that the government should not set up a future fund but pay off existing debt first?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (15:04): My God, what a shock: the Under Treasurer wants to pay down debt! I agree with the Premier on all things. I agree with him all the time. In fact, I can tell you I am agreeing with what he is thinking right now, that is, this government, united behind our leader, united behind our Premier, united in one common cause. I also want to point out that we are probably the last Labor government—the last Labor government in the world?

The Hon. J.J. Snelling: ACT.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: In the ACT. There are Liberal victories occurring all across the country. We had one in New South Wales, we had Queensland, we had Western Australia fall, we had New Zealand—

Mr GARDNER: Point of order, sir.

The SPEAKER: What is the point of order?

Mr GARDNER: We are straying a long way from the reservation.

The SPEAKER: I will listen carefully to the Treasurer.

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: No, no, I agree with the Premier. I think a future fund is a very good idea. I also agree with former prime minister John Howard and former treasurer Peter Costello that future funds—

Mr Marshall: They were in surplus; you've never seen surplus.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Yes, we have, Mr Speaker. I also note that the Leader of the Opposition in his budget reply said that we would never reach surplus. It is another example of a man who can't think more than one step ahead. This is a leader you're following over of the cliff, the same guy—

Mr PENGILLY: Point of order: I ask you to adjudicate on whether the Treasurer is actually debating the matter.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Yes; the Treasurer advises me I should uphold the point of order.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Of course I agree with the Premier, sir. I was in cabinet when we came up with the idea. I think it's an excellent idea, and I think future generations will thank us for it.