TRAMLINE EXTENSION

Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (14:35): I have a supplementary question. Given the minister's answer, why is all the black rubbish sitting on the ceilings of the trams coming off? Is it carbon? What is it? Is it bacteria? This is what came off the tram last night on the way home—just on one very small section.

The Hon. P.F. CONLON (Elder—Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister for Energy) (14:35): I will go through it again. The stuff sitting on top of the trams comes from a carbon strip fitted to the pantograph for the purpose of wearing out. When it wears, that falls on top of the tram. It either washes off in the frequent rain we are having lately, or it is taken off when they clean. It has been going on for as long as we have had trams. I advise the learned vet on the other side that we are made of bloody carbon. Carbon, because of its valency, is a unique element in that it can take so many forms and shapes. I am told that by my learned doctor friend. One of the shapes it takes is a carbon strip; another is in the air around us in carbon dioxide. In fact, if you look, not only will you see it everywhere but you will see it through eyes made of carbon. Can we stop getting too fussed about the carbon?