OLYMPIC DAM EXPANSION

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:32): By way of supplementary question arising from the minister's non-answer, does she support the statement of the Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, when he said, 'I will not be granting an extension to BHP'?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) (14:33): Of course I support the decisions of my cabinet colleagues. I am sure the minister considers all relevant matters and will absolutely proceed in the best interests of this state. Day after day we come into this place and find the opposition bagging South Australia, bagging our prospects, talking us down, full of doom and gloom, and trying to rattle the confidence of our business sector and the confidence of consumers, and, as I said, it is totally irresponsible.