Federal Budget

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:34): My question again is to the Treasurer. If the Treasurer is so concerned about the lack of new infrastructure projects being approved in last night's federal budget for the benefit of South Australia, why hasn't his government followed up the letter of request in respect of the Strzelecki project issued in February 2014 with a full submission and application with the cost-benefit analysis to progress that project?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (14:34): Mr Speaker, before we raised the Strzelecki Track, the only person on that side of the chamber who knew where it was the member for Stuart. No-one else would have known where it was, Mr Speaker.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Point of order.

Mr KNOLL: The Treasurer is not responsible for the opposition; he is clearly debating the matter.

The SPEAKER: I uphold the point of order.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: That is true, sir; I am giving them far too much knowledge. The truth is it is this government that is advancing infrastructure programs through Infrastructure Australia and to the commonwealth government. We are the ones who have advanced the Strzelecki Track in our infrastructure and land use upgrades. We are the ones who identified a vital piece of road infrastructure. We are the ones who have put it on the map. We are the ones, Mr Speaker—

Mr Bell: You just didn't do anything about it!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —who have called on the commonwealth government to start considering this as an infrastructure spend, and we are prepared, Mr Speaker, to partner with the commonwealth government to do it.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: The people who have done nothing under the traditional 80:20 split as offered by Deputy Prime Minister Truss, but is there any money in this budget for it? No, not a cent, Mr Speaker. Is there any money for it in the other further upgrades or grade separations? Not a cent, Mr Speaker. Is there any money for infrastructure upgrades in the Riverland? Not a cent. Any infrastructure upgrades on Eyre Peninsula? Not a cent. Anything for the Adelaide Hills? Not a cent.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Mr Speaker, this budget misses the mark. This budget looks after northern Australia, not northern South Australia.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: I warn the deputy leader for the second and final time, and I warn the members for Stuart and Mount Gambier for the first time. Member for Elder.