House of Assembly: Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Contents

CLIPSAL 500

The Hon. S.W. KEY (Ashford) (14:36): My question is directed to the Minister for Transport Services. Minister, you may be surprised at me asking you this question, but I would like you to inform the house about how the state government is assisting the Clipsal 500 racegoers with travelling to the event this weekend.

The Hon. C.C. FOX (Bright—Minister for Transport Services) (14:37): Thank you, and I acknowledge the member for Ashford's great and continuing interest in motorsport of all sorts, especially ones with bicycles.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The Hon. C.C. FOX: Yes, green motorsport. As we all know, the Clipsal race kicks off this weekend and what we are trying to do—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. C.C. FOX: Is that when you are going to the function?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! A question has been asked, and the minister will answer the question.

The Hon. C.C. FOX: The race kicks off this weekend, and we want to make it as stress free as possible for those who are trying to go there. We do know for a fact that driving your car into the city during this time is quite difficult, and I am sure those in the eastern suburbs are particularly aware of certain issues. What we are encouraging racegoers to do is to take your—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I can't hear the minister. I know you are probably excited about the car race, and you are all dying to go, but please let the minister answer the question.

The Hon. C.C. FOX: By showing your entry tickets to the Clipsal, you will be able to get free transport in and out of the city. This is going to make quite a big difference to those people going to the race and, indeed, to the quality of the city itself. As the member for Adelaide I am sure knows, it can get quite squashy at this time of year.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Bragg!

The Hon. C.C. FOX: We will be providing extra capacity as well on all the train lines, and we will also have extra tram services. The Clipsal people themselves—and I should point out that it is not the state government, it is Clipsal, and we are grateful to them—will be providing a free shuttle bus during this time which will be moving people around the city from race points to the actual centre of the city. We are very proud to be doing this. We would like to get as many people into our energetic city as we can, and I urge all of those, including the member for Ashford, keen motorist that she is, to get on the bus, get on the train, get on the tram, and enjoy the race.