Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-02-19 Daily Xml

Contents

OLYMPIC DAM

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (15:21): Sir, I have a supplementary question. The minister mentioned a whole range of issues in his answer to the question and, in particular, power.

The PRESIDENT: Order! There is no explanation when you are asking a supplementary question. I have let a couple of members get away with it, but they will not continue to do so. Ask your question.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: What discussions has the government had with BHP in relation to power requirements? It is my understanding that the EIS is likely to only talk about a powerline to Port Augusta—

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: —and not a power station at Roxby Downs.

The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister will ignore the comment.

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (15:22): It certainly is irrelevant, but I will answer the question anyway—otherwise, no doubt, the honourable member will try to misrepresent it. My role, if you like, at this stage is just in relation to the process that has been involved with the EIS and to ensure that it adequately addresses all the issues. I will not comment on what is in the EIS until it is published and made available, because I would just be speculating, as well. The honourable member may wish to read the guidelines which, as I said, have been available on the website since February 2006.

It is really a matter for BHP to determine how it proposes to address the power issues. It is up to BHP to put up a proposal. It will then be up to those assessing it when the report has come back and gone through all the public consultation process (the eight weeks). The government will then be in a position to see whether that adequately addresses it. However, at this stage, it is up to BHP Billiton to address those requirements as it sees fit.