Electricity Prices

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN (Stuart) (15:03): Supplementary: does the minister agree with the head of GFG Alliance, Mr Sanjeev Gupta, who told the International Mining and Resources Conference in Melbourne yesterday that Australia has 'the highest cost energy environment in the world' and that South Australia has the most expensive electricity in the nation?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy) (15:04): I don't accept that Mr Gupta said that about South Australia, but I do note that the shadow minister just quoted Mr Gupta as having said that.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: No, no. He's just changed the question now. He quotes to the parliament that Mr Gupta said at an event that Australia had the highest prices in the world and that South Australia had the highest prices in Australia, according to Mr Gupta, and he knows that wasn't true.

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Point of order: I ask the minister to apologise and withdraw.

The SPEAKER: For what words?

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: For saying that I 'know that is not true' in parliament. He has just accused me of lying, sir. Hansard will bear me out and I will read it again.

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis interjecting:

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: You apologise.

The SPEAKER: No, I am afraid those words are not equivalent, at least under Erskine May, to calling the member for Stuart a liar.

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: May I reread the question sir?

The SPEAKER: No, you may not. Minister.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Thank you very much.

Mr Knoll interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I welcome the junior shadow minister asking me a question any time he likes. I think the shadow minister, just like the day when he made the leader correct himself live on television that the savings were not actually $300, that the do-nothing option gave the biggest saving—

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Point of order: standing order 98.

The SPEAKER: Debate.

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Debate and the answer having nothing to do with the substance of the question.

The SPEAKER: Well, there is that.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Mr Gupta also endorsed a 50 per cent renewable energy target.

The Hon. J.W. Weatherill: He didn't quote that one.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: No, he didn't quote that. I will be looking forward to getting the quotes Mr Gupta made, comparing them with the question the shadow minister asked and we will see who is correct and who is wrong.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Stuart and the Treasurer are both warned. The Speaker won't tolerate quarrels in the house.

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis: Unless he's involved.

The SPEAKER: Yes, exactly. Member for Stuart.