TRANSADELAIDE GOVERNANCE

The Hon. P.F. CONLON (Elder—Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister for Energy) (14:14): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: In April this year, the state government approved a review of the governance of TransAdelaide, the state's rail operator. Cabinet yesterday approved a multifaceted reform agenda for the rail operator aimed at enhancing customer service. A refreshed and revitalised TransAdelaide is to concentrate solely on the delivery of safe, efficient and effective rail services for Adelaide commuters. The original corporate structure of TransAdelaide was created by the former Liberal government as a precursor to privatisation.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: Your shadow minister is on the record recently as supporting it again, so just be careful.

Mr Williams interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: I will get on with it when you have stopped interjecting, Mitch.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: That's original, isn't it? They knock you over with those interjections, don't they? The changes will confirm our opposition to privatisation.

Mr Hamilton-Smith interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: You will have your chance in a moment. We are looking forward to you displaying your debating skills. Let us hope they are as good as Alexander's—he is, after all, auditioning for your job tomorrow. The changes will confirm our opposition to privatisation by bringing asset ownership back into government, allowing TransAdelaide to concentrate on providing rail and customer services. The governance review has recommended, and cabinet has approved, the state government's taking responsibility for rail assets currently owned by TransAdelaide and responsibility for new major rail infrastructure works.

We will establish a rail projects directorate within DTEI's Office of Major Projects and Infrastructure. Future rail planning will also be integrated with the department's policy and planning division. The Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure will also recruit additional senior management to complement the changes. The state government will bolster the executive team working under the general manager, Bill Watson. This will result in a better mix of essential skills in customer service and rail operations, including rail signalling and track infrastructure.

We can also foreshadow over time a change in the skill sets contained on the TransAdelaide board. This should in no way be construed as any criticism of the existing board, which has done a good job. It will merely be matching the board to the change in focus of the organisation and to its new executive strength. TransAdelaide's bus interests will not be changed at this time. The government had already taken the first step toward the Future Public Transport Network, which will deliver a faster, more efficient and fully integrated system using light rail and buses. This process began—

Mr Venning interjecting:

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: You can join in the debate, too, Ivan. I am really looking forward to the opportunity very shortly.

The Hon. M.J. Atkinson: In this, your last term.

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: In this, your last term! The process began with the $115 million rail revitalisation announced in the last state budget, providing for track upgrades and re-sleepering of the Noarlunga and Belair lines. We are also working to identify potential future transport interchanges, transit-oriented development and a new ticketing system. We want the best results possible for Adelaide commuters, and I am confident that these changes will produce those results.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!