SEAFORD RAILWAY LINE

The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna) (14:39): My question is to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, and I ask the minister: what progress has been made on the electrification of the Seaford line?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Housing and Urban Development) (14:39): Today, the transport services minister and I were lucky enough to be—

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The minister should be heard in silence.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —on a trip from the Brighton station through to Seaford and return. Can I just say I am exceptionally proud of the work DPTI has done and exceptionally proud of the work that all of our contractors have done. The electrification of the Seaford line is on track to be delivered on time, and the ride, I have to say, was exceptional.

The Hon. P.F. Conlon: Smooth as a gravy sandwich, mate!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: It was very smooth, and I want to acknowledge, of course, the work of the former minister, the father of electrification—

The Hon. P.F. Conlon: The father of wind, they told me!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: The father of poles and wire and the father of wind, yes. I have to say, the most interesting thing about the entire journey up to Seaford and back were the people who were lined up on the streets and at the stations to take photographs and to see the train go through the station. They were genuinely excited. There are ordinary South Australians who are happy to see this government invest in infrastructure in our southern suburbs, happy that we are investing in urban rail and happy that we are doing the work that needs to be done that has been neglected for far too long. It is this government that does that work.

I know that some members of this house wait to try and hear of a disaster or a delay and, every time a project is delivered on time or on budget, a little part of them dies. I can honestly say today was a huge success. The stations are in tip-top condition. The crews who are working on the driver train that was commenced today for the resumption of diesel services are looking very good, and as I said, that will be within the 45 to 60-day time frame as set out by the government.