BUS CONTRACTS

In reply to Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14 November 2012).

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Business Services and Consumers): I have been advised of the following:

The increase was due to fuel costs, congestion payments and transition payments relating to the previous metropolitan bus contracts. It was also due to the advancement of major bus infrastructure maintenance requirements (the replacement of gas cylinders on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) operated buses).

The revised approved budget for the 2012-13 financial year is $176 million.