House of Assembly: Thursday, December 04, 2014

Contents

Tramlines

Mr WINGARD (Mitchell) (15:31): A supplementary question: I will have to get your clarification, Mr Speaker, about whether I can ask another minister a supplementary question on the same topic, because I would like to ask the Treasurer if he has received any briefing about pending legal action against the company that did the tramline extension.

The SPEAKER: No; unfortunately, the supplementary has to be to the minister to whom you asked—

Mr WINGARD: Can I ask another question then, sir?

The SPEAKER: Ask another question.

Mr WINGARD: Can the Treasurer advise if he has received any briefing and/or any documentation regarding the company that built the tramline extension and damage to the cable that may have occurred between Victoria Square and the train station?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (15:32): I defer to the Minister for Transport on this issue. I do not recall receiving any advice. I know that I am a longstanding justice of the peace, and the government does often turn to me for legal matters, so I will check my briefs and find out exactly if there are any—

Ms Redmond interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Isobel, I have missed you so much.

The SPEAKER: Especially since Mr Woodyatt is not available to you just at the moment.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Sir, I am always amazed at the invisible role you play in this house as the independent umpire. You are not one of those umpires who wear a fluorescent vest, running around the field constantly blowing his whistle, sir. You are anonymous, sitting in the corner and just letting the game flow for the benefit of the viewers. You do not want to be part of the game, sir, you just want to make sure that the parliament functions at its very, very best. On that I congratulate you, sir. I am not aware of any advice, but I will go back and check and get an answer for the member.