Indigenous Communities, Electricity

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (15:28): Supplementary: is the minister aware of similar practices rolled out in the Northern Territory, and what has been the implications of that in that territory?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Attorney-General, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:28): I thank the honourable member for her question and, again, I will be seeking further information. My understanding is that the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara lands and the Maralinga Tjarutja lands now remain the only jurisdictions in Australia, according to the information I have received, that don't have some sort of price set for electricity. Just across the border from the APY in the NT in places like Mutitjulu or in WA in Wingellina, there are charging-for-electricity schemes in place. I certainly will be seeking to understand what has happened when those first came into play and the effects that they have had.