Energy Policy

Mr BROWN (Florey) (17:25): My question is to the Minister for Energy and Mining. Can the minister update the house on recent energy initiatives and any alternative views regarding them?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Energy and Mining) (17:25): I thank the member for Florey for his question. You often get alternative views when it comes to energy policy. This government had a policy of backing gas to firm renewables and there was an alternative policy that opposed that. Those opposite had their plans. They attempted to lower power prices by $302; they failed and didn't reach it, so there is always toing and froing in energy policy.

What you don't usually get is within the same political party the alternative views popping up, which is what I find fascinating. Just recently the member for Hartley, in his announcement of some of his energy policies, came out and made the bold statement that he is going to lower power prices. Within his own party there are some alternative views to statements just like that, and I thought I would read out a few. This is a quote:

Any politician on any side who promises they are going to bring down power bills are really kidding themselves and also the public.

That person goes on to say:

I will never believe a politician who utters the fact that they are going to bring down power bills. It will not happen. It has not happened.

This alternative view is pretty steadfast in their views about politicians who come out and say that they are going to lower power bills. This politician with this alternative view within the same political party has also said:

To date, privatising ETSA to SA Power Networks has not produced savings for the average consumer, energy customer or household, but it has been great for SA Power Networks' Hong Kong-based owners.

I go on to this other person with alternative views within the same political party who has also said:

Governments had a misplaced ideology that they could not run ventures like this profitably and that they were best left to private enterprise. How wrong they were, particularly with energy costs now going through the roof.

It goes on and on and on to basically say that 'Any political leader'—and I am quoting now—'or party who promises to do that is a fool.'

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: A fool. Who would say such a thing within a political party? Well, it's the new watchdog; it's Frank Pangallo. He is off the leash, sir. That is not the first time Mr Pangallo has had what I would describe as colourful views about his new leader. There was that awkward moment when they tried to shake hands and couldn't quite shake hands. Mr Pangallo wasn't very happy about Mr Tarzia patting his dog—he didn't seem to like him touching the watchdog for some reason—the fake laughter, the awkward laughter. But I've got to say that these alternative views about the current Leader of the Opposition grow. When his most recent recruit—

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: He's a good man—celebrated with the Labor Party. It's an important point. It is important to remember that the current alternative views on energy policy from Mr Pangallo don't just stop on energy policy. He has alternative views on all sorts of things, from industrial relations to the personal conduct of the Leader of the Opposition.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Point of order: standing order 98. The minister was specifically asked about energy policy only.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The question did say alternative views, but I—

Members interjecting:

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, please!

Members interjecting:

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Does any other member on my right wish to assist me? No, right. I think the minister is straying a bit.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Alternative views in the parliament should be welcomed—in fact, that's what the public demand. They demand alternative views, they want a contest of ideas. What they don't want is a contest within a political party for ideas. It's very hard to have that contest when one of your key new members—since he wishes to win and form government—has said to the Leader of the Opposition that he is unethical, and that type of behaviour does not give you good policymaking; it gives you very bad alternative outcomes.