Hydrogen Power Plant

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA (Hartley—Leader of the Opposition) (14:36): My question is to the Premier. Does the government stand by its hydrogen election promises? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: The Labor Party's election policy document titled 'Hydrogen Jobs Plan: powering new jobs and industry' says that its hydrogen power plant in Whyalla 'will lower electricity prices for businesses and industry in South Australia'.

Members interjecting:

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Members on my left, you have asked a question. We will hear the answer. The next person who interjects will be doing so from outside the chamber.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Premier) (14:37): Just as I explained to the Leader of the Opposition, the principal objective of the Hydrogen Jobs Plan is to create jobs of the future and a new industry here in our state. We remain committed to that, but it is also true that what our energy sector needs more than anything else is more capacity around generation. While some in this place have been more obsessed with building extension cords, others have been more concerned with actually seeing—

Mr Pederick interjecting:

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: —more concerned with seeing investments in local generation capacity. We know that what the energy market needs now more than anything else is more capacity in the system. When we see more megawatts being produced domestically in South Australia, that only has a positive impact on the wholesale electricity market.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Before I go to the next question, I just advise the member for Hammond he is now on three strikes as well.