AUSTRALIAN TRAFFIC NETWORK

Mrs REDMOND (Heysen) (15:11): My question is to the Premier. Has the government paid or arranged to pay traffic reporting group the Australian Traffic Network to mention the Glenelg to Adelaide Parklands irrigation pipeline in its reports, and was that promotion to include regular mentions on the commercial-free ABC network?

The Hon. P.F. CONLON (Elder—Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister for Energy) (15:12): My knowledge of this group is that it is a person, I think, who sits in the Norwood Traffic Control Centre (which the taxpayer pays for), free of charge, and gets information and provides it to the public. I have to say, rather than paying him, I am not sure that he should not be paying us, given that he sells that information commercially.

I would be surprised if that is the case. It is certainly news to me, and I assume that, as he is sitting in our control centre, I would know about it. However, let me stress that my understanding of the relationship (and it was a surprise to me; I only really understood the relationship when I was asked a question on 891 a week or so ago) is that the fellow sits in there, courtesy of the taxpayer, paying nothing to us and charging for information that he provides to radio stations.

I think that is probably something worthy of review, but I do not know that we pay him for anything. I will certainly bring an answer back to the member. I am a little upset that he sells our taxpayers' information and makes money out of it. I will look into that for the member.