Project EnergyConnect

Mr COWDREY (Colton) (14:56): My question is to the Minister for Energy and Mining. Can the minister update the house on the latest voices of support or otherwise for Project EnergyConnect, the proposed interconnector with New South Wales? With your leave and that of the house, sir, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr COWDREY: On 8 October, the shadow treasurer, the member for Lee, when asked what the opposition's view on the interconnector was, said, and I quote, 'We think this is a terrible idea.'

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN (Stuart—Minister for Energy and Mining) (14:57): I thank the member for Colton for this question. The member for Colton was not the only person who was very surprised and very disappointed in the member for Lee and that radio interview. I am sure that many opposite were disappointed in the member for Lee and that radio interview.

As this house knows, the Marshall Liberal government is committed to building what matters, and that includes a new transmission line to New South Wales, Project EnergyConnect, which will deliver cheaper and cleaner energy for South Australians and more secure energy for the state. This critical piece of infrastructure is set to save South Australian households $100 per year on their electricity bills once it's delivered and much more for small business.

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis: Is that retail?

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for West Torrens is on two warnings. The Minister for Energy and Mining has the call. He will be heard in silence.

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: And, Mr Speaker, that saving is on top of the $158 saving, which has already been delivered and which continues to grow. This government is committed to delivering the interconnector. That's why we are underwriting early works to the tune of $200 million to make sure that South Australians can get the benefits of the project as soon as possible.

The Australian Energy Market Operator has deemed the interconnector 'critical', and a 'no regrets' project, which will help address the blackouts this state suffered under Labor. The federal government knows the project is important to driving down energy costs and delivering vital jobs, because they are also supporting it and keen to fund early works to speed it up.

Last week, the federal opposition—the South Australian opposition leader's colleagues in Canberra—announced they also support the project and increased interconnection.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: The Climate Council—

The Hon. S.S. Marshall interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, Premier!

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: —also supports the project saying, and I quote:

This project can cement South Australia as a leader in the energy transition and will accelerate progress towards the state's net 100 per cent renewable energy target, delivering the urgent emissions reductions we need to tackle climate change.

Households, businesses, workers, and the climate all win when the SA-NSW interconnector goes online. We call on all parties to support this important, job-creating project.

The Marshall Liberal government is supporting this job-creating project. The federal Liberal government is supporting it. The Clean Energy Council is supporting it. The Climate Council is supporting it. The market operator is supporting it. Everybody is in favour, even the federal Labor opposition in Canberra supports it. The only people who object to this state and nation-building project are those opposite.

In fact, according to the shadow treasurer, the member for Lee, they think it is a terrible idea. Just let that sink in. They think South Australians saving $100 a year off their electricity bills is a terrible idea. They think delivering hundreds of jobs is a terrible idea. They think—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: —unlocking billions of dollars in renewable energy projects is a terrible idea. They think stopping the blackouts that South Australians suffered under their mismanagement of the energy system is a terrible idea. It seems the member for Lee had a case of temporary amnesia during his FIVEaa interview. Not only did he forget that it was his government that delivered the $477 increase to electricity bills in their last two years in office and that it was his government that delivered a devastating statewide blackout but he also seemed to forget why ETSA was privatised. I quote the member for Lee:

I also suspect that this interconnector is a strategy by SA Power Networks which you remember…used to be ETSA before it was privatised by John Bannon.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: I think you will find that John Bannon was the Labor Premier who nearly bankrupted the state and necessitated the long-term lease of ETSA. Those opposite are a mess when it comes to energy policy.

The SPEAKER: Before I call the member for Lee, I warn the Premier. I warn for a second time the member for Playford and I warn for a second time the member for Lee.