Assets Privatisation

The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE (14:59): Supplementary.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! It is totally inappropriate. You have the call. Ask your question and the minister will then answer it.

The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE: Thank you, sir, for your protection. Supplementary based on the minister's answer regarding privatisation of ETSA: can the minister explain to the house why it is not alright to privatise ETSA when it went through the democratic processes of the parliament and was approved by parliament, yet it is alright for this government to privatise the forestry of South Australia without it going through the democratic process of the parliament? What is the difference, minister?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change) (15:00): The difference is that you lied to the people of South Australia when you were in government and you promised you would never ever sell ETSA. There is a difference: you lied to South Australia.

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS: Point of order: I take offence at the minister accusing you of lying, sir.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Mr President, I withdraw. I was pointing my pen at the Hon. Mr Brokenshire.

The PRESIDENT: We need to use language that is a little bit civilised. I think we should treat each other with respect. The accusation of lying and so forth should be kept away from it. Other words can be used. The Hon. Ms Gago.