Electricity Generation

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (15:05): My question is to the Minister for Energy. Once the Marshall Liberal government leases or privatises the state-owned emergency generators, at what price will the private operators charge the South Australian government or taxpayers to offer the generators for emergency use?

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Point of order: had he asked what advice is there or what information has been given, that would not be hypothetical. The framing of his question was hypothetical and is out of order.

The SPEAKER: Yes, it does contain a hypothetical element. Would the member for West Torrens like to rephrase?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Yes, sir.

The SPEAKER: Please rephrase.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Has the minister received any advice at what rate the new private owners, the successful owners of the government-owned generators—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —once they are leased, will charge South Australian taxpayers or consumers to be offered in a time of emergency?

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN (Stuart—Minister for Energy and Mining) (15:06): I am sure my department will contemplate whether it's possible to give me advice that would help me answer that question after the department has received the proposals from the private sector to actually lease the generators and gone through those.