RAIL ELECTRIFICATION PROJECT

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg) (14:28): As a supplementary to the Minister for Transport: having not signed the contracts for the electrification upgrade of the Gawler line, can he explain why his government signed a $500 million contract for the electric trains years before they are required?

The SPEAKER: I do not consider that was a supplementary question. I will count it as a question.

The Hon. P.F. CONLON (Elder—Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister for Housing and Urban Development) (14:29): I am more than happy to provide the information. In regard to the extension to Seaford, can I say that, if they would like to focus on some positives, they should go down and look at that extremely impressive bridge over the Onkaparinga River taking the extension to Seaford which will run electric trains. The order for electric trains (which are, from memory, now a very large 66), on the current settings, we were seeking to revise that—

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Bragg, order!

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: Why does she ask questions when she already knows everything? I don't understand. She already knows everything. What's the point of asking questions?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Members on my left will be quiet.

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: The order is for 66. Quite openly we have said that we are currently negotiating with the supplier to reduce that by 12, but we could not cancel it altogether, and if we had not had a contract for the purchase of those trains, there would not be electric trains to run on the Seaford extension in the time that we said they would. That is the reason we signed the contract to buy electric trains—because we have every intention of using them next year.