Nuclear Waste

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:35): A supplementary, sir: can the Premier outline to the house whether the federal Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten, supports the government's push into a nuclear waste dump?

The SPEAKER: I do not think the Premier is responsible to the house for the position of a member of the commonwealth parliament.

Mr MARSHALL: A supplementary, sir: has the Premier asked the Leader of the Opposition?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (14:36): I am very pleased to say that I have briefed the Prime Minister in person and the foreign affairs minister and the minister for energy.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Treasurer is on thin ice.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: They are the relevant federal authority because they are the federal government, and they are strongly supportive. They are strongly supportive of the approach that we have taken, they are strongly supportive of the discussion that we have initiated. What we are simply asking those opposite is to remain open-minded about this matter. On this side of the house, there is a diversity of views, there is no secret about that.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Adelaide and the deputy leader are both on two warnings.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: There are many people who are strongly opposed to it on this side of the chamber, but we as a party have had a discussion and we are prepared to allow this public discussion to continue. That has been a difficult thing for our party. There is no doubt about that. All we are simply asking for is those opposite to keep an open mind about this issue, because at the heart of this issue is that it will require bipartisanship.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Mitchell is warned for the second and final time. The member for Newland has a question.