BUS CONTRACTS

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg) (15:03): My question, again, is to the Minister for Transport Services. Will the minister identify what increased payment will be made to private bus operators under the new bus timetables and what in particular will be the cost of leasing 12 buses from the private operators?

The Hon. C.C. FOX (Bright—Minister for Transport Services) (15:03): You know, I thank the member for Bragg for this question but it is a bit odd, because it is in writing. I actually have a copy of the letter, and I believe that you have had a number of briefings—about a half a dozen—from a number of public servants which have given the member for Bragg the answer to these questions. Now, if the member for Bragg fails to understand a letter or what people have actually said out loud, I am not quite sure what I have to do. I mean, do I actually—

Mr PENGILLY: Point of order; the minister is debating the matter.

The SPEAKER: The minister was asked a question. She can answer it how she chooses, and I do not see debate in it. Minister, make sure you stick to the substance of the question.

The Hon. C.C. FOX: Well, I am. And thank you, member for Finniss, for your forensic examination of my answer. This is actually quite an important part of the answer to the question. I guess what I am telling the house is that the member for Bragg has been told the answer to these questions before, but I am very happy to give the answer again, and again, and again. I can give you the answer in English, French, Italian, Greek, Romanian, whatever you like.

Ms Chapman: English will do.

The Hon. C.C. FOX: English will do for you? Super. The answer to your question is $400,000. You asked about the lease of the buses. The member for Bragg asked about the cost of leasing buses. Am I correct?

Ms Chapman: Yes.

The Hon. C.C. FOX: The entire cost around changing timetables is $3 million, not, I believe, the figure that you may have been touting, member for Bragg; it is $3 million.

Ms Chapman: And that's for the change in timetables?

The Hon. C.C. FOX: The change in timetables, member for Bragg, involves more drivers, more kilometres and more buses. The member for Bragg asked about the cost of leasing these buses for these purposes, and that cost is approximately $400,000, let's say half a million dollars.