Power Prices

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA (Hartley—Leader of the Opposition) (14:31): Given that answer, a question to the Minister for Energy: does the government expect the prices of iced coffee and juice to increase in South Australia? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: There are obviously those reports today that Nippy's monthly power bill has more than doubled in an electricity cost crisis that is gripping the agriculture industry.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Energy and Mining) (14:31): We know that the default market offer has dropped and we are going to see a bit of relief, but ultimately the idea of politicians being able to guarantee the public what the cost of an iced coffee is is childish—it's childish. I think my young friend has just jumped the shark a bit early, I would have thought. We are going to do everything we possibly can to make sure that we can put downward pressure on household power prices.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I just point out to members opposite that it's all very well to complain about an issue, it is completely different to offer an alternative. The alternative is where we have the debate. I look forward to having the debate. Yelling across the chamber is not a substitute for policy work. Treachery is not a substitute for policy work.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Morialta!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: What policy work is is hard work behind the scenes to come up with an alternative policy.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Morphett!

Mr Patterson interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Morphett!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Yelling out, 'It's not my fault, no-one mentioned your name in the leadership speculation. It's not my fault you went down and voted.'

Mr Patterson interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Morphett, I have called you to order twice. Please, stop yelling out, it's disorderly and the minister will be heard in silence.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Our plan is to make sure that we can do what we can to firm renewable energy at appropriate prices rather than try to extract massive rent like gas-fired generators are now. I would ask the Leader of the Opposition to have a look at AGL's returns. I would ask him to look at Origin's returns. I would ask him to look at every gas-fired generator's returns last financial year and see the extraordinary profits that they have made on the back of very, very high gas prices to firm renewable energy and then tell us what the alternative policy is.