NOARLUNGA RAILWAY LINE

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:48): I have a further question to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. Do the contracts for track upgrade, traction power and signalling on the Noarlunga line include a handover deadline to allow services to resume and, if not, why not?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Housing and Urban Development) (15:48): I cannot answer the 'why not', because I did not negotiate the contracts. We allow—

Ms Chapman: Patrick, then.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: No; Patrick would not have negotiated them either. It would have been negotiated by the department. That is how it works.

The SPEAKER: Neither the deputy leader nor the Minister for Transport will refer to the member for Elder by his Christian name.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Yes, Mr Speaker. I think it is a common practice and prudent that it not be ministers who personally negotiate contracts with private companies or contractors. That should be done appropriately. In terms of the member's question, I will get a detailed answer for her back to the house, and I refer her to my ministerial statement.