Generators

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN (Stuart) (14:40): Supplementary, sir: if the government is unable to secure gas to run these generators, will the minister rule out running them on diesel after the first two summers?

The Hon. P. Caica interjecting:

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

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy) (14:40): Standing orders don't abide hypothetical questions because—

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Unley will withdraw from the chamber under the sessional orders for the maximum penalty of one hour.

The honourable member for Unley having withdrawn from the chamber:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I would say he will be missed, sir, but that would be unparliamentary because it wouldn't be true. South Australia has abundant gas reserves and the Premier has spoken to the main operators in South Australia, as has the Prime Minister, about maintaining sufficient emergency reserve through the COAG process. We have spoken to the pipeline operators about making sure there are contingent reserves in place for our generators over summer. If the shadow minister is saying that we should be procuring our gas in advance of the allocating where the generators will be before we decide the site, that would be a mistake.

We will, under the proper processes of our procurement, once we relocate the generators, be planning this over a 12-month period, even longer. We will secure the gas that we need. If the opposition is saying that there is a shortage of gas, why are they banning unconventional gas in the South-East? But again, this is about thinking ahead before you ask a question. Imagine the proposition now swirling around in his head. He says there is a shortage of gas. Why is the Liberal Party policy to ban exploration of gas? Again, that is why he has been benched, that is why he has been demoted, that is why he doesn't hold press conferences anymore.

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Point of order, sir: debate.

The SPEAKER: I uphold the point of order.