Coober Pedy District Council

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:57): My question is to the Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy. When the minister signed the letter of approval for the District Council of Coober Pedy to support the council entering into a power purchase agreement that was dated 29 March 2016, was the minister aware that the council was the subject of letters of concern about the governance of the council from the Minister for Local Government?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy) (14:57): First of all, I would have to check what I was aware of at the time through my office to make sure there weren't any documents in my office, but I point out that on this side of the house we believe in the autonomy of the third tier of government—local government. They are governed by statute. They are an independent board elected by their constituents. We expect them to conduct themselves within the framework set out by the parliament and the LGA. We expect them to act in accordance with their codes of conduct and all the governance arrangements that they have and I expect them, as every minister would and as every constituent would, to uphold those very high standards.