PUBLIC TRANSPORT

The Hon. S.W. KEY (Ashford) (14:44): My question is to the Minister for Transport Services. Minister, can you outline to the house the importance of the Public Service in delivering a safe public transport system in South Australia?

The Hon. C.C. FOX (Bright—Minister for Transport Services) (14:44): I thank the member for Ashford for this question. Our latest figures show that there are more than 994 people working hard to provide safe public transport to South Australians, and 79 per cent of those are on the front line. Every single one of those people is crucial. Enhancing safety is foremost in my mind as we increase our efforts to encourage greater use of our public transport system, and our Public Service has been key in delivering that system. Cooperation between the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure and SAPOL's Transit Services Branch plays a vital role in the provision of a safe and secure environment for public transport users, and I would expect nothing less.

Plain-clothed and uniformed transit police regularly circulate throughout the rail and bus networks as part of ongoing operations. SAPOL has increased its transit branch from 74 officers to 102 as from 1 July 2012, and I would like to thank minister Rankine for her support there. These resources are increasing proactive and responsive policing teams in line with initiatives shared with the Public Transport Services Division, such as the use of roving patrols across the rail network, with a focus on reducing fraud and antisocial behaviour.

SAPOL officers are also given an annual ticket to travel on all public transport services. This allows them to travel in uniform or in casual clothing at any time. The intention of this initiative was to allow police officers to intervene in any on-board incident at any time. The public transport security group of PTSD provides regular reports to the Transit Services Branch of SAPOL. These reports identify areas of concern on bus, rail and taxi services. We are continuing to monitor CCTV cameras, and we currently have more than 300 in place at a number of stations.

Security guards are also present on every single train which leaves the Adelaide Railway Station from 6pm until the last service each day. This represents an increase of more than 50 per cent compared to 2001. On-board security guards are provided for on trams from 6pm until the last service on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. These safety measures are non-negotiable for our community. Commuters deserve to travel on a safe system, and all of these enhanced safety measures, which this government has implemented for our public transport system, would be threatened if the Liberal policy of savage public sector cuts—

Mr WILLIAMS: Point of order: standing order 98. This is debate. You have just instructed the previous minister about debate in attempting to answer the question.

The SPEAKER: Thank you, member for MacKillop. Minister, I would ask you to remember that it is not to comment on Liberal policy.

The Hon. C.C. FOX: Perhaps I may finish my sentence.

The SPEAKER: You can talk in a very general term.

The Hon. C.C. FOX: Okay. All of these enhanced safety measures, which we the Labor government have implemented in this state—we the proud Labor government have implemented in this state—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. C.C. FOX: —the proud, proud Labor government has implemented in this state—could be threatened by some unknown forces, that may or may not surround us at this point in time, if certain decisions were to be made by certain people who may or may not be here tomorrow.