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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-11-20 Daily Xml
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Oil and Gas Sector

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN (Stuart) (14:37): Supplementary question, sir: given that the minister in his answer mentioned Mr Tino Guglielmo, can the minister detail what the exact role held by Mr Guglielmo in Ambassador Exploration was when he announced petroleum exploration licence 570 had been awarded to that company in April 2011?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (14:38): I will have to ask the department and the bid group about that.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Mr Speaker, I think it is important to remember this: I don't assess the bids. The government doesn't assess the bids. For example—

Mr van Holst Pellekaan interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Stuart is called to order.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: As I said yesterday, the bids are done in a way that is world's best practice, and it is world's best practice for a reason. It is recognised by the Fraser Institute, it is recognised by APPEA, the industry body that governs the oil and gas sector and, indeed, is their peak body. Indeed, they say that our processes are world class. I have no doubt that process was world class and best practice when Ambassador was awarded the contract. I have also just been advised by my office that Mr Guglielmo was engaged as their agent or representative.

The Hon. T.R. Kenyon interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Newland is called to order.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: The bid assessment groups make these judgements, and my delegate to whom I delegate my authority to issue these exploration licences is the one who makes the final assessment. I do the public announcements. But I do say this, Mr Speaker—

Mr van Holst Pellekaan interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Stuart is warned.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —the attack on the oil and gas sector and the processes by the regulator—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: They can scream all they like, Mr Speaker.

Mr GARDNER: Point of order: the minister is now descending into debate.

The SPEAKER: I will listen carefully to what the minister has to say.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: The attack on the regulator and the sector is becoming so politicised—

Mr GARDNER: Point of order: the very statement accusing the opposition of making an attack on the regulator or anyone else is clearly debate.

The SPEAKER: No. Member for Morialta, I think that is a bit fragile. Question time is more robust than that.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: The attack on the regulator and the attack on Ambassador winning this call into question the processes of the regulator. Like I have said, Mr Speaker, if they have any evidence of any wrongdoing, make it public, and if they do not have any evidence, all they are doing is bringing into question the integrity of our regulator. Quite frankly, that is appalling.

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