Question Time

Power Outages

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:30): My question is to the Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy. Has the government received advice that South Australia is at risk of blackouts over summer this year?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy) (14:30): We keep a running brief on every summer, given the extreme weather events that are becoming more prevalent with global warming, the risk of bushfires—obviously we have seen an unprecedented storm—and extreme demand. If there was a bushfire, for example, in and around where the interconnector may be located, or perhaps another event, then, yes, there is always a risk of blackout and that's managed across the country.

The government is always acting on the advice it receives, whether it is from the Australian Energy Market Operator, the Australian Energy Regulator or the Australian Energy Market Commission. We do what we can to try to manage these risks. I also point out to members opposite that they are asking us about the management of a privately owned electricity network. They are asking us about the way that the private sector manages those risks. I also point out to members opposite that, while many of them weren't here when it occurred, they are the ones who put the management of these assets into the hands of the private sector.

We do what we can with regulations, but in the end we were given some pretty iron-clad promises. I have here the second reading speech of the privatisation of ETSA.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I know this is a truth you don't want to contemplate, but it's here. I understand.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I understand—if I was the Liberal opposition, I wouldn't want to know what we were promised with the sale of ETSA.

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Just apologise.

The Hon. P. Caica: You'll get thrown out again, Steven, nothing surer.

The SPEAKER: The member for Colton is the only person called to order out of that exchange. The leader.