Oil and Gas Sector

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN (Stuart) (14:59): My question is to the Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy. Can the minister advise if relevant prior operating history is a prerequisite to successfully tender for a petroleum exploration licence?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (14:59): Mr Speaker, this is a pretty grubby question by the member for Stuart, trying to imply—

The SPEAKER: The Treasurer will not comment on the status of the question.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Yes, sir. Mr Speaker, what the member for Stuart is talking about is Ambassador exploration. He raised these questions yesterday in the Auditor-General's examination. He is talking about Mr Tino Guglielmo, who was the person who executed the application documents for Ambassador Oil. For the opposition's benefit, Mr Guglielmo had many years prior extensive experience in the oil and gas sector, including 20 years at very senior levels in Santos, then as managing director and CEO of Stuart Petroleum. This is the gentleman he is talking about, Mr Speaker, when he says 'any prior involvement'.

The SPEAKER: Point of order.

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Mr Speaker, I did not talk about any person in my question.

The SPEAKER: The member for Stuart will leave for the next half hour because, of course, that is not a point of order: it is an impromptu speech. You will go out under the sessional order for half an hour.

The honourable member for Stuart having withdrawn from the chamber:

Mr PISONI: Point of order, sir: 127, imputing improper motives.

The SPEAKER: The member for Unley will also go out for half an hour. That's not a point of order, either.

The honourable member for Unley having withdrawn from the chamber:

Ms REDMOND: Point of order, Mr Speaker: the relevance of the answer, because the member for Stuart's question simply asked whether there was a process available and the minister's answer to date has been entirely about a particular person who was never mentioned.

The SPEAKER: I don't uphold the point of order.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Mr Speaker, just for the opposition's benefit, Mr Guglielmo has had many years of experience with Santos and, of course, has been chief executive of Stuart Petroleum. All these decisions are delegated to the department. It is not the political elected executive who makes these decisions. The tender process is done at arm's length from government, so much so that I am not even informed who is tendering for tenements or petroleum retention licences. I am told at the conclusion of the process.

What the opposition is attempting to do, in my mind, is try to cast doubt on this process. This process is world's best practice and, quite frankly, I am sick of the opposition attacking the oil and gas sector.

Mr GARDNER: That was debate, sir.

The SPEAKER: I uphold the point of order.

Mr MARSHALL: Supplementary, sir.

The SPEAKER: Before the leader asks a question: the opposition can ask questions. Ministers have a great deal of scope in answering them. It is not appropriate for the opposition, if they are offended by the answer, an answer that is otherwise within standing orders, to stand up and give an impromptu speech in reply under the cover of a point of order. If any member does it, they will be departing the chamber. The leader.