House of Assembly Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1) 53 1 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Question Time Oil and Gas Sector Oil and Gas Sector Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN House of Assembly Stuart Oil and Gas Sector Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN (Stuart) (14:45): My question is to the Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy. Now that the minister has had nearly one week to find the answer, can he advise how many companies have been granted a petroleum exploration licence in the past five years without having had prior relevant operating experience? The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly West Torrens Minister for Finance Minister for State Development Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy Minister for Small Business Oil and Gas Sector The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (14:46): I've not got that information at hand as yet, but I will bring back an answer and give it to the opposition because I think it is important that they try to get an understanding of exactly how the petroleum industry works. As I said earlier— Ms Redmond House of Assembly Ms Redmond: We are getting an understanding. The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Yes, I know what your policy is: a moratorium below Goyder's line. What I will do is, because petroleum retention licences are granted at a distance from the executive—that is, the way— Mr Knoll House of Assembly Mr Knoll: That's not what we're asking. The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: What did you say? Members interjecting: The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: We make it up? Obviously the opposition is attempting now to put into question the way the department issues petroleum retention licences by a shadow minister yelling out that we just make it up. It shows you the contempt they have for the industry. So— Members interjecting: Mr GARDNER House of Assembly Mr GARDNER: Point of order, sir— Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: I uphold the point of order. The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Given that the process is not done by me and it is done independently by the department, and I am only made aware of the successful candidates after the tender process has been completed, I do know that the department takes into account the personalities and the people who are applying for the licences, but I will come back with a more detailed answer for the member.