Alinta Energy

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:10): My question is to the Premier. Why did the Premier tell a news conference on 15 March this year that, and I quote, 'We've never been offered anything from Alinta that would meet our needs,' when Alinta offered to keep generating affordable and reliable electricity for South Australia?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (14:10): A better question because at least then, on this occasion, the member—

Mr Gardner: Answer the question.

The SPEAKER: The member for Morialta is warned for the second and final time.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: —used the appropriate formulation, the one that I have always used, that is, that we are not inclined to talk about this offer because this company wanted it to remain confidential. We decided to respect that proposition, and we didn't want to embarrass the company. We certainly wanted to make it clear to the people of South Australia that this was never going to—

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Of course there wasn't a deal.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Schubert is warned for the second and final time and the member for Mitchell is called to order.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: We have consistently said that this was not an offer that met our needs, and today is proof positive.

Mr Marshall: You've changed the words.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: No. No, you've just used my words.

The Hon. J.J. Snelling: You've just quoted him.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: You've just quoted my words.

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The palpitant Leader of the Opposition will restrain himself.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: I understand why there is a degree of anxiety in those opposite. Today has been the ultimate proof about why those opposite, who have been advancing this idea of Northern, have completely and utterly been rebutted, and that is the opening of Pelican. The opening of Pelican Point is the complete answer to this nonsense about Northern. This is the—

Mr Hughes interjecting:

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

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: I don't think I can help the leader any further.