Northern Power Station

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:41): My question is to the Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy. Has the government received any advice that Arrium, Nyrstar, OZ Minerals, BHP and other businesses in the north of the state could have avoided the blackout or that they could have had their full electricity supply restored sooner if the Northern Power Station was still operating?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy) (14:41): I don't think I have, but the question of whether a private operator who wasn't able to operate in the market commercially—

Mr Wingard: 'I don't know.'

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Whether, if they had been operating—

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

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —would power have been restored earlier? It's like—

Mr Whetstone: 'Nothing to do with us. It's not our problem.'

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

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —saying, 'Can you buy a brand-new Holden after GMH closes?' I have to say—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: The only people who have reached peak stupid are members opposite who are advocating a return to coal. Here it is again—here they are again worrying about how to get coal back on, rather than trying to integrate into a new grid, a 21^st century grid.

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Just yelling at me is disruptive to the house, gives me no opportunity to give an answer and shows a lack of vision and understanding of the issue by the Leader of the Opposition.

Ms Chapman: 'Did you check?' 'I don't think I have.'

The SPEAKER: The deputy leader. The leader.