RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE

Ms BETTISON (Ramsay) (14:42): My question is to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. Will the minister inform the house of the importance of investing in urban rail and the impact of proposed cuts by the federal government on this investment?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Housing and Urban Development) (14:43): On the issue of public transport let there be no doubt: no state government has invested in public transport to the extent of this government. We are currently undertaking the biggest ever single investment in Adelaide’s public transport system.

This government recognises that investment across all of our rail networks is an investment in our future. We know that rail investment is intrinsically linked to our investments in our communities. This government believes in transport infrastructure, as it will become an economic driver for our state. That is why we have invested $1.4 billion in the rail revitalisation program. This project has:

created more than 3,600 jobs;

rebuilt 166 kilometres of track across the network;

installed 240,000 new concrete sleepers;

removed 220,000 timber sleepers;

installed 70 kilometres of wires and over 1,200 masts and portals;

constructed a 620 metre rail underpass at the Goodwood junction—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The deputy leader is warned for the first time.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I will continue. It has:

constructed a 1.2 kilometre viaduct over the Onkaparinga River;

built new stations at Elizabeth, Munno Para, Seaford Meadows and the Seaford terminus; and

started construction of new stations at St Clair and Wayville.

Some in our community would say that spending on infrastructure is a false economy. We do not believe that. That is why we are proud of the work we have done on the Outer Harbor, Belair, Gawler and Seaford/Noarlunga lines. This government wants to build on our efforts in investing in urban rail. That is why we want to see the Tonsley line duplicated and electrified and the Gawler line electrified to Salisbury. Unfortunately, the Liberal Party and the commonwealth government feel differently.

Despite the fact we had contracts signed, or we were out to tender, the commonwealth government has pulled its funding from these important projects, ripping the heart out of the north and the south. In fact, work on Tonsley was well underway and the boots were on the ground when the federal government pulled the money. Unlike members opposite, this government does not support ripping away funding from the Tonsley and Gawler lines.

We do not support it because it acts as a handbrake on the economy. We do not support it because it cuts more than 1,000 jobs from the economy across both projects. We don’t support it because our construction sector needs projects now, not in five years time. Believe it or not, Mr Speaker, I agree with Phil Sutherland, a declared member of the Liberal Party and supporter and the chief executive of the Civil Contractors Federation when he says:

...and the call now to the new Coalition government in Canberra is make sure you honour the infrastructure commitments...the former government has made.

Unfortunately, sir, Mr Sutherland is at odds with members opposite. This government believes there is a crucial role for the commonwealth to play in supporting urban rail projects. That is why we are willing to stand up for the people of the south and the north and fight to keep these projects in the pipeline. Unfortunately, members opposite would gladly see these projects disappear to improve the balance sheets of their friends in Canberra.

Mr PISONI: Point of order, sir: referring to members opposite on what they may or may not believe is surely debate.

The SPEAKER: Yes, I think you're right. The leader.