Question Time

Olympic Dam

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:08): My question is to the Premier. Given that Andrew Mackenzie, Chief Executive of BHP Billiton, said last week that the company will not consider a major expansion of Olympic Dam unless they can be confident there is a reliable and affordable source of power, what assurances has the government subsequently given to the company about future power supply in this state?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (14:08): I thank the honourable member for his question. Of course, it's pretty orthodox that a company wouldn't consider a major expansion to its mining operations without having a secure and reliable source of energy. That is—

Mr Marshall: So what have you done about it?

The SPEAKER: The leader is called to order.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: So, the statement was unexceptional. In relation to BHP, I simply say this. There have been two occasions on which BHP have decided they are going to dangle in front of the people of South Australia the notion of some massive expansion at Olympic Dam. On both of those occasions, they have been totally and utterly supported at every step of the way by this South Australian government and every step of the way they have acknowledged that support, yet on both of those occasions they have decided to actually back away from the expansion opportunities.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: It is the objective of this government, because of the broken National Electricity Market, for us to take control of our own energy future. By taking control of our own energy future, we will provide assurances for not only BHP but for every company in South Australia to ensure that they have not only reliable but affordable and clean power to operate their businesses in South Australia. That is precisely what the community expects of us, it's what the business community expects of us, and that is why we will be revealing our plan to secure our energy future very soon.

Mr MARSHALL: A supplementary, sir?

The SPEAKER: Before the supplementary, I call to order the members for Schubert and Colton, the deputy leader, the member for Hartley and the member for Finniss, who should enunciate clearly when he interjects rather than interject on the side in the hope that I don't see him. I warn the leader, the deputy leader and the member for Schubert, and I warn for the second and final time the member for Schubert. Leader.