Alinta Energy

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN (Stuart) (14:21): Is the minister aware of the proposal personally presented by Jeff Dimery to the Port Augusta community—and no doubt to the government—to mine a third series of coal at Port Augusta so that there would be useful, appropriate calorific-value coal until 2032?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy) (14:21): Yet Mr Dimery says it is not economic, yet they are getting no surcharges on the coal. In fact, the coalmining operations now receive discounts. They could not make that mining economic. I have to say that if they could make the mine economic, why aren't they mining it now? Oh, they don't want to mine it, but apparently it is really valuable.

These are the contradictions we have. The Port Augusta power station is so vital to South Australia's needs that they sell it, and then the coalmine is so valuable that the private sector closes it. I have to say that the understanding of policy and the way this operation is run is appalling. No wonder the shadow minister was demoted.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Chaffey is warned, as are the members for Stuart and Hartley.