State Energy Plan

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:48): My question is to the Minister for Energy. Is the cost of purchasing this new plant increased by completing the purchase after one lease cycle rather than two?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy) (14:48): No, sir, that is not my advice. It was an interesting interjection by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition calling the state-owned generator a white elephant. We will see this summer if it's a white elephant. We will see in a drought if the desal plant is a white elephant. Every time this government invests in infrastructure, for the members opposite, a little part of them dies. Every time we invest in crucial parts of essential services, their first instinct is to sell it. Their first instinct, whenever we have any public institution, is to close it or sell it.

Mr GARDNER: Point of order: the Treasurer is descending into debate, contrary to standing order 98, with no provocation so far in this answer.

The SPEAKER: Just refresh my memory as to the substance of the question.

Mr GARDNER: The question was whether the cost of purchasing the generator was greater after a one lease cycle rather than two.

The SPEAKER: Treasurer.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I've answered that, sir.

The SPEAKER: The member for Colton.