Seaford Rail Line

Mr WINGARD (Mitchell) (14:53): My question is to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. Given that Laing O'Rourke was the company which fitted the faulty electric cable on the Seaford line and given they have the maintenance contract, how can the minister assure South Australians that taxpayers won't pay for the repairs and that the replacement of any overhead cable won't be funded as part of the maintenance contract that Laing O'Rourke has?

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) (14:53): I thank the member for Mitchell for his question and interest in this area. It's a matter in which he has a keen interest as the member representing part of our southern suburbs. Of course, we've invested an extraordinary amount of money both in the duplication of the Southern Expressway and the electrification of the Noarlunga line and the extension out to Seaford. It is particularly angering and frustrating when taxpayers invest such an amount of money and there is a fault which is delivered by the contractor.

I'm advised by the department that we have a major works contract with Laing O'Rourke, and they are required under that contract to make good the fault that's been identified with this part of the wire on the Seaford line, and I am advised that it will be done without cost to taxpayers.