Legislative Council Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3) 51 3 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time Emissions Trading Scheme EMISSIONS TRADING SCHEME The Hon. M. PARNELL Legislative Council EMISSIONS TRADING SCHEME The Hon. M. PARNELL (14:26): I have a supplementary question, Mr President. Does the government believe that a better approach to Nyrstar's concerns is to assist it to shift to a low-carbon, low-energy future rather than excluding it from the Rudd government's carbon pollution reduction scheme? Also, has the minister or other ministers had discussions with the company to that end? The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY Legislative Council Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business EMISSIONS TRADING SCHEME The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (14:26): I think I can understand the point the honourable member is making, and I think it is a reasonable point. Clearly, if we are to move towards lower CO₂ emissions in this country, one of the ways in which we will do that is to improve the efficiency of our operations and also to turn to other forms of energy for any energy-intensive activities, as the Port Pirie smelter is, that generate less CO₂. Obviously, Nyrstar will have to make decisions as to what investment it intends to make in the future. The whole idea of announcing an emissions trading scheme in advance is to signal to those industries that need to adjust to give them plenty of time to move towards that. I guess one of the debates that will happen in this country is: what is the appropriate amount of time to enable those industries to adjust? Ultimately, those industries must adjust. Clearly, some industries will need more assistance than others in doing that and, obviously, this government will look at any particular case that is put forward.