Renewable Energy Target

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN (Stuart) (14:40): Given that the minister in his answer said that he strongly supports a national emissions intensity scheme, does he support a single national renewable energy target?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy) (14:40): I support the national renewable energy target and the state-based renewable energy target.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Honestly, if we didn't have him, we would have to invent him. If we didn't have Steven Marshall, you would have to make him up. So apparently a renewable energy target that we have taken advantage of for $6 billion worth of investment and a thousand jobs is okay but, whatever you do, don't set your own aspiration. As we have seen in reports today, had it not been for the states doing the heavy lifting, they would be almost nowhere near their renewable energy target, and the Prime Minister is the one who signed the Paris agreement.

None of us in this place criticised the Prime Minister for signing the Paris agreement. None of us criticised the Prime Minister for bringing the energy minister—

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: It is remarkable the length, depth and breadth of the Leader of the Opposition's lack of knowledge about energy, and no amount of fake laughter, no amount of shouting and no amount of telling people that they are wrong and he is right will change the facts. And shouting at me won't change that they have no policy on energy. They have no policy on energy, none whatsoever.

The Hon. J.M. Rankine interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Wright is warned. Do you think, minister, you have provoked the leader at all?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: No, sir, I think he was born that way.