Water Pricing

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (16:55): I have a supplementary question. Have you made any personal contact with the ESCOSA CEO, Adam Wilson, to ensure that Mr Wilson receives the necessary support to implement water pricing reform in South Australia?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (16:55): Mr Wilson and the entire ESCOSA board have my full confidence. The government has complete confidence in ESCOSA.

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I am answering your question. We have full confidence in them. They have all the resources that they need. Of course—

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The leader is called to order.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I suppose by reform, the Leader of the Opposition is talking privatisation.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: 'Rubbish. Not true. We swear we won't. It will never happen. We've never thought about it. Don't even know what it is. Privatisation—don't even know what it is.' It is important to note that, when I met with federal treasurer Hockey, he knew all the details of SA Water and what it was worth—all the details!

Mr Marshall: Why was that?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Why was that, indeed?

Mr GARDNER: Point of order.

The SPEAKER: How could the member for Morialta interrupt such a dramatic exchange?

Mr GARDNER: I just make the point that the Treasurer's own secret plan to privatise SA Water is not germane to the question.

The SPEAKER: I call the member for Morialta to order, not because the point of order is bogus; it is because he grafted an impromptu speech to it. Any more?