Power Infrastructure

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:36): My question is to the Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy. Why did the minister advise the media yesterday that 'Pelican Point is generating and is scheduled to remain on until March', when Pelican Point Power Station was in fact not generating electricity yesterday?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy) (14:37): Pelican Point did generate electricity yesterday: when we needed it, it came on.

Mr Gardner: It wasn't when you said it was.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: It was available. The whole point is that in the July event, which I think is lost on—

The SPEAKER: The member for Morialta will leave the chamber for the next hour.

The honourable member for Morialta having withdrawn from the chamber:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I think it is important to note that before the July event Pelican was not available to generate in the South Australian market or participate in the National Electricity Market. Since the July event, what Pelican Point through its parent company ENGIE has done, it has become available.

Mr van Holst Pellekaan interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: No, they weren't available; they are now available. They have contracted gas contracts. They have gas available and, when we needed them yesterday, they were there; they turned on. So, absolutely they were available and I stand by it, and they are available until March. I hope that, as we speak, they are signing contracts with South Australian companies to offer them a good competitive price against AGL and Origin for gas contracts to provide electricity to supply our manufacturing base with the power that they need.

The SPEAKER: I warn the member for Stuart.