Public Transport

Ms WORTLEY (Torrens) (14:43): My question is to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. Can the minister update the house on the release of the 'Better public transport. Better productivity' report by the Tourism and Transport Forum?

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee—Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister Assisting the Minister for Planning, Minister Assisting the Minister for Housing and Urban Development) (14:43): I thank the member for Torrens for her question and for her keen interest in this area. I welcome the release yesterday of a report by the Tourism and Transport Forum, together with the national firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers. The report, entitled 'Better public transport. Better productivity', demonstrates the benefits that investment in public transport infrastructure has on our economy.

Specifically addressed by the report is the value that higher investment in public transport infrastructure has on this service-based economy, particularly the positive effects on wages, business profitability and economic zones throughout the nation. Through a case study of Sydney's Epping-Chatswood rail link, the report highlights the direct effects on productivity from a government focus on the efficient transport of the workforce between home and work.

Mr KNOLL: Point of order, Mr Speaker.

The SPEAKER: Point of order.

Mr KNOLL: The report to which the minister is referring to is probably available online.

The SPEAKER: Can the minister confirm that that's so?

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: It probably is, sir.

The SPEAKER: In that case it is readily available. The deputy leader.