Power Infrastructure

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:21): My question is to the Premier. Has the government received any advice regarding the increasing instability in the current energy mix in South Australia?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy) (14:21): There are a number of reports that have been released by regulatory bodies, whether they be AEMO or ElectraNet, who own particular assets, and, of course, the COAG energy ministers' council. What we are grappling with as a nation is how to integrate renewable energy with an effective grid, but it is important to note, as minister Frydenberg said today—

Mr Gardner: Have you received any advice?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —I've answered it—that the integration of renewable energy and intermittent energy into the national electricity market is separate from the event that occurred today. They are two very separate questions. I think the important aspect of separation from the NEM yesterday is that the designs and the safeguards put in place by the Australian Energy Market Operator, which are in place in every jurisdiction around the country—the same procedures, the same protocols, the same backups and the same restart procedures—are in place.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Mr Speaker, I have a point of order. This is vital information that the house needs to hear and it should be heard in silence. I would ask you to rule against the interjections that are being made by members opposite.

The SPEAKER: Indeed, Premier, I have made a list from interjections during this answer and the previous answer, and accordingly I call to order the members for Kavel, Hammond, Davenport, Mount Gambier, Mitchell, Schubert and the deputy leader, and I warn for the first time the members for Davenport and Mitchell.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: There have been reports talking about the intermittency of energy supply and how to integrate renewable energy because that is a great challenge facing jurisdictions across Australia and, indeed, across the world, as we decarbonise our economy. Now the Prime Minister has signed the Paris agreement, which basically commits this country to decarbonising its electricity generation, we are going to have to grapple with this on a national stage. That' why it is important that we support the Prime Minister—

Mr Tarzia interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Hartley will leave the chamber for the remainder of question time for persistently interjecting.

The honourable member for Hartley having withdrawn from the chamber:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: That's why it is important that we support the Prime Minister and minister Frydenberg in the first, very bold attempt to integrate climate policy and energy policy. We need rule changes on the Australian Energy Market Commission. Indeed, this government has moved a number of rule changes to try to deal with that intermittency and give us the ability to manage instability within the market. But it is important to note that that is a separate question from what occurred yesterday. Yesterday was a failure of infrastructure.

Mr Marshall: We are not asking about that.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: And I am explaining the differences between the reports that have been made public by regulated bodies and what occurred yesterday, and I think the public would like to know, importantly, the difference between the reports that AEMO has published and those that other regulatory bodies and operators within the market have published compared to what occurred yesterday. Anyone attempting to merge the two events together is being dishonest.

Mr van Holst Pellekaan: So, you're pre-empting the inquiry.

The SPEAKER: The member for Stuart is called to order.