Oil and Gas Sector

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN (Stuart) (15:19): Supplementary, sir: I ask again, can the minister advise the house whether he was aware of the findings of the Australian government's Takeovers Panel?

The SPEAKER: Before the minister answers, I warn the deputy leader for the first time. Minister.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (15:19): Mr Speaker, I do not follow the personal legal goings-on of every single person who applies for a PEL in this state. What I do is have confidence in our bid teams.

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I am answering the question, and again I say to the Leader of the Opposition: I have stated my full confidence in the department that assessed these bids—

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —and I am answering these questions.

The SPEAKER: The member for Unley is warned for the second and final time.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: And I say to the Leader of the Opposition to have the courage to get up and make an accusation. The only person being evasive about this is the Leader of the Opposition because he does not have the courage of his convictions to get up and make an accusation. I think it sends a terrible message to the industry and our public servants that the opposition, without any facts, is calling into question their integrity.

The SPEAKER: The minister will not dwell on the opposition. Is there a further supplementary?

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Supplementary, sir, yes.