Oil and Gas Sector

Mr PICTON (Kaurna) (15:15): My question is to the Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy. Will the Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy inform the house of the government's position regarding the oil and gas sector in light of recent criticism?

Mr Marshall: Down with the ANU.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (15:16): To hell with the ANU, yes. This morning I was honoured to open and address the Asia Pacific Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition. This event is run by The Society of Petroleum Engineers which is committed to helping its members advance their technical skills to develop the oil and gas sector sustainably, and the government shares that commitment. We are proud to welcome and stand by some of the world's key engineers, scientists, technologists, managers, business leaders and government officials here in Adelaide.

Mr Knoll: Over 1,000!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: There were over 1,000 delegates registered, yes, and they will share information and best-practice approaches to establish contacts and enhance relationships. The theme of the conference, Changing the Game, could not have been better given the timely array of tremendous opportunities, challenges and solutions being generated by this sector. The industry will find no greater supporter than this government as together we seek to build opportunities and conquer those challenges.

The government is proud to stand by this industry. We recognise their contribution and the expansion that this vital sector provides our towns, our cities and our regional communities. And we will stand up for future prosperity and for our state, and the nation. Mr Speaker, we will stand by these companies.

We need to stand up against extremist movements like Lock the Gate, who I note that the member for Mount Gambier has advertised in his front window of his electorate office—an agenda that seeks to instil fear across our community about the oil and gas sector. We will stand up against that type of fearmongering.

We will not stand idly by as those that seek a return to the dark ages are able to go unchallenged. The recent decision by the Australian National University to sell off its shares in resources companies including Iluka Resources and South Australia's very own South Australian Northern Territory Oil Search has been met with passionate opposition here in South Australia and across the country.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: The decision was allegedly based on a report—I am interested in this, and I am glad you have finally come to my way of thinking.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: The decision was allegedly based on a report by consultants rating companies on what was described as—

Ms Redmond interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Heysen.

Ms REDMOND: There appears to be something wrong with the speakers, I am getting it in stereo back here, sir.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The minister will continue.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Santos is a major employer in this state; a major contributor of royalties. It contributes to us culturally—

Mr Knoll interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I am glad you like Santos. Perhaps you could speak to your colleagues who don't like Santos.

Mr KNOLL: Point of order, Mr Speaker. The Treasurer is reading from a press release that I just emailed to your inbox.

The SPEAKER: I am always interested in how my alma mater invests.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I echo the Premier's condemnation of the Australian National University and this attack on the South Australian companies. I echo the criticism that the federal Treasurer (Hon. Joe Hockey) has made. I echo the criticism the assistant federal minister (Mr Jamie Briggs) has made. I even echo the criticism of the Leader of the Opposition's mentor and life coach, Chris Pyne. But, Mr Speaker, I cannot echo those calls from the Leader of the Opposition because until today, he has said nothing.

Mr Marshall: How do you know?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Well, show us a report.

Mr Marshall: How do you know?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Show us the media; show us the press release.

Mr Marshall: How do you know?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Get the two guys at the back there to provide a press release!

The SPEAKER: Point of order!

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Where are the press releases?

The SPEAKER: Point of order, member for Finniss.

Mr PENGILLY: I ask you whether the minister is debating the issue, sir.

The SPEAKER: I uphold the point of order. The point of order, minister, is that you are debating the matter.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I probably was, sir. Mr Speaker—

Mr Marshall: Really badly.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: You are actually—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Could—

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: 'Mr 49 per cent' thinks he is doing well, sir.

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: You think you are doing well! In fact, you are the best Liberal leader in the country, aren't you? The only one to have lost an election in the last two years, and you are happy with it!

The SPEAKER: I warn the Treasurer—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Where's Colin Barnett?

The SPEAKER: I warn the Treasurer a second time! The Treasurer is very close to leaving the chamber. In fact, I have been looking into standing orders and the power of the Speaker to arrest, and was thinking that rather than the Treasurer leave the chamber, he could join me up here.