House of Assembly: Wednesday, March 01, 2017

Contents

Electricity Prices

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:41): My question is to the Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy. Will the minister ensure that the people of Coober Pedy will pay no more than grid-equivalent energy prices pursuant to the new 20-year power price agreement with Energy Developments Limited?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy) (14:42): We can't lock in future governments. Obviously, future governments will decide how they use those tariffs, but we made a commitment at the last election. We made a commitment at the last election that we would do that while we are in office and, of course, we have.

The council has entered into an agreement with ARENA and another company to provide long-term investment and power supply in Coober Pedy. Obviously, we have subsidies that are offered to pay for diesel generation through our rates scheme. That will continue, but ultimately I can't guarantee what future governments will do. We have certainly made a commitment and we will be honouring our commitment.