Public Transport

The Hon. T.R. KENYON (Newland) (14:44): My question is to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. Can the minister update the house about the state government's continued investment in our public transport network?

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) (14:44): Can I thank the member for Newland for his keen interest in this matter. Indeed, I had the pleasure of—

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The deputy leader—

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: That's right, it's three strikes, isn't it?

The SPEAKER: The deputy leader is here by a gossamer thread, but thank you to the member for Unley for giving me the opportunity of warning the first time. The Minister for Transport and Infrastructure.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, and, as I was saying, thank you to the member for Newland for asking me this question and for his keen interest in public transport. I had the pleasure of riding the O-Bahn with him and the member for Florey—of course, one of our most important, if not the most important public transport routes we have in our city.

I have spoken in this place before about this government's investment in the public transport network. Members present, at least on this side, are well aware of the economic, environmental and community benefits of a functioning and efficient public transport network. Whether it's reports from the Tourism and Transport Forum, the Productivity Commission or the Australasian Railway Association, the research and evidence is clear that investment in public transport is essential for economic, social and community development.

Over the last 13 years, this government has invested over $2 billion into our system, and commuters are experiencing the benefits of this investment. Commuters are taking advantage of our new electric trains, our additional buses, our successful rollout of the Metrocard technology and our new trams and tram extensions. We have built over 5,300 park-and-ride spaces since 2002—an 87 per cent increase on what was left to us by the previous government—and there is still strong demand for more spaces.

As we have heard from the member for Fisher earlier today, the importance of investing in our communities is paramount. I am pleased to say that this government went to the last election promising to continue our investment in transport infrastructure. We promised to act and work to change the habits and mindset of South Australian commuters towards using public transport. We promised to continue the necessary investment to move cars off our roads, to reduce congestion and to improve travel times for commuters.

The transport development levy, proposed prior to the last election, sought to raise funds to contribute to these works and upgrades to reduce congestion in our city. In doing so, it would move commuters out of their cars, out of this congestion, and onto our improving public transport network. The levy sought to raise over $120 million over four years—funds which would be available for such transport improvements. Foreshadowing these revenues, the government committed over $20 million for park-and-ride projects, and we know such projects are changing commuter habits and providing an alternative to people driving into the city.

As transport minister, I am regularly speaking with community groups, local members of parliament from both sides of this chamber and city stakeholders, providing me with proposals to improve our network and reduce congestion in our city. Regardless of these proposals, particularly those which I received from members on the other side of the chamber, those opposite still chose to vote against this important levy which would raise funds for public transport improvements in our city.

Mr GARDNER: Point of order.

The SPEAKER: Yes, point of order.

Mr GARDNER: 119: reflecting on a vote.

The SPEAKER: No, it's not reflecting on a vote: it's just recording who voted for or against it. It would be quite different if the minister rose and criticised or praised the vote.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: He is allowed to note something that's on the Hansard record, namely, how people voted. He is not criticising the decision.

Mr TARZIA: Point of order, sir.

The SPEAKER: Yes, member for Hartley.

Mr TARZIA: 127(1): the member is digressing from the subject matter of the question under discussion. He is digressing—

The SPEAKER: I don't think he is doing that either.

Mr TARZIA: —digressing from the—

The SPEAKER: I don't uphold that point of order. Minister.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: Thank you, Mr Speaker, and thank you to the opposition. Who knows what improvements could be delivered should this funding have been available. Surely the $120 million over the four-year period would contribute to another tram extension in the city, or the $1.1 billion—

The SPEAKER: Point of order, member for MacKillop.

Mr WILLIAMS: I have been listening with intent, sir, and from the start of the minister's answer, right up to the last words he has uttered, he has been doing nothing but debating.

The SPEAKER: No, I don't uphold the point of order. Minister.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Surely the $120 million over four years would have contributed to another tram extension in the city, or the $1.1 billion—

Mr WILLIAMS: Point of order, Mr Speaker.

The SPEAKER: If the member for MacKillop makes the same point of order, or a similar one, it will be a bogus point of order that I have already ruled on and he will be leaving the house.

Mr WILLIAMS: Thank you, sir, for your advice. When the minister says, 'Surely if this had happened, something else would have progressed or proceeded,' can you explain to me how that is not debate?

The SPEAKER: He is offering us information.

Mr WILLIAMS: He is offering us information?

The SPEAKER: Information that you as a member of the opposition find tedious and inconvenient, but he is offering it. Minister.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Surely such funds would have been used for future tram extensions—

Mr WILLIAMS: Don't I have to leave, sir? Do I have to stay?

The SPEAKER: I am going to be merciful today.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: —more park-and-rides, better cycling infrastructure and other improvements to reduce congestion in our city. It is a shame that we continue to have an opposition that refuses to engage in the transport policy debate.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Now that is debate, and the minister's leave to answer is withdrawn. Meanwhile, however, the member for Kavel is called to order for blaspheming, the member for Schubert is warned a first time and the Treasurer is called to order for gesturing and then remarking on the relationship between the member for Schubert and the member for the federal division of Sturt. The member for Stuart.