Power Infrastructure

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:08): Has the minister received any request or directive from the Premier not to meet with this consortium because it involves a coal-powered system?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy) (15:08): No. We are happy to meet with any consortium. I have to say that there are tyre kickers and there are people who are serious. I have met with a number of people about Northern, I have met with a number of people who want to build wind farms, I have met with people who want to build new gas-fired generation, and I am happy to meet with all of them—I have met with people who want to build solar thermal plants. I will meet with anyone.

But I have to say they are not the only consortium that is interested in or looking at Northern. But the people they should be meeting with are not in government, because we do not own it. We don't have any regulatory say about whether they operate or don't.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Approval?

Ms Chapman: Planning approval.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: They need planning approval? Last time I checked, I wasn't the planning minister. I have to say—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: So, it's now 'start the process going'. So it's either I give the regulatory approvals or I don't? Which one is it? Perhaps members opposite should read the legislation that they vote for.

Ms Chapman: Good gracious!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Yes, goodness gracious, indeed.

Ms Chapman: You're hopeless.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: No, one part of that sentence was wrong—the 'you' part. But I have to say, I'm happy to meet with proponents who want to advocate for more generation in this state, but it would not have made a difference to what occurred yesterday.