Question Time

RAIL ELECTRIFICATION PROJECT

Mrs REDMOND (Heysen—Leader of the Opposition) (14:12): My question is to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. Of the $293 million that the state government was to receive from the commonwealth for the upgrading and electrification of the Gawler line, how much remains unspent? In May 2009, the commonwealth government announced $293 million over five years from 2008-09 to 2012-13 towards the upgrading and electrification of the Gawler line; however, this project has now been indefinitely suspended.

The Hon. P.F. CONLON (Elder—Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister for Housing and Urban Development) (14:13): We had some discussions quite recently with the federal minister. We believe, from those discussions, that it was something like $30 million to $35 million in issue that was interrupted by the commonwealth. Obviously, if we are not spending, they will not be seeking to spend that money on the railway, but those discussions with the commonwealth are ongoing. I can say that I believe the number, off the top of my head, is somewhere between $30 million and $35 million.

What it does mean is that there has been the biggest contribution to public transport infrastructure from a commonwealth government since Federation as a consequence of that and the extension of the rail to Seaford.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P.F. Conlon interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Minister for Transport, order!

The Hon. J.J. Snelling interjecting:

The SPEAKER: And the Treasurer, order!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr Venning interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Schubert, order!