Cities and the Built Environment Portfolio

An honourable member: He's awake!

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton) (14:35): Yes, wide awake. It is usually the opposition that puts me to sleep. My question is to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. What is the state government's view of the recent federal cabinet reshuffle, in particular the creation of a portfolio for cities and the built environment?

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) (14:35): This government has been delivering significant improvements—

Ms CHAPMAN: Point of order, Mr Speaker. How can the minister possibly be responsible for the decision of what has happened in Canberra?

The SPEAKER: Well, he has not been made responsible for it; unless he joins the conspirators, I don't think so. I think the minister is merely going to tell us how the change in the line-up of the commonwealth government affects the state of South Australia.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: Thank you, Mr Speaker. This government has been delivering significant improvements to the city. Indeed, Adelaide, as the vibrant heart of this state, is one of the government's 10 economic priorities. The state government is investing to rebuild the key infrastructure of our city and our state. We have redeveloped the Adelaide Oval and we are delivering a new Royal Adelaide Hospital. We are expanding the Adelaide Convention Centre to support tourism jobs, both in the city and across the state, and we are investing in the Adelaide Festival Plaza. We have extended the tramline twice, first to the Adelaide Railway Station and then to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. These projects have supported not only the residents in the CBD but jobs throughout the state. In recent years, through extensive reform of our planning system led by the Deputy Premier, development in the city is easier, and there has been both a deluge of development applications as well as new hotels and office accommodation—

Mr Whetstone interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Chaffey is warned for the second and final time.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: —being built. The state government is also providing incentives for people to buy dwellings in the city, improving the number of people—

Ms CHAPMAN: A point of order, Mr Speaker. The minister is going nowhere near your excellent question which was how the changes in Canberra were going to affect us. So far he has just listed a whole lot of things he claims his government has done.

The Hon. P. Caica interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Colton is called to order. The Treasurer is warned for the first time. The minister, I can feel it, is approaching the topic.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: I'm getting close, Mr Speaker.

An honourable member interjecting:

The SPEAKER: It's a vibe.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: Yes. The South Australian small bars legislation and the revitalisation of the Riverbank Precinct perfectly demonstrate the kind of vibrant culture promoted by our new Prime Minister. We have clearly laid out a vision for both the city and the state with the Integrated Transport and Land Use Plan, outlining a long menu of key projects over the next 30 years. We have also worked closely with federal governments of both political persuasions on delivering major public and road transport projects. I mentioned earlier, together with the Hon. Jamie Briggs, formerly assistant minister for infrastructure, we have delivered vital funding to the Torrens to Torrens project and the Darlington upgrade and most recently the Northern Connector.

We have worked with the former federal Labor government to deliver the Seaford rail extension electrification and proceeded with the revitalisation of our rail network, but there is much more to do. The state government will continue our record investment in our public transport network and in the road network. We will continue with these projects and initiatives, literally changing the look and feel of our city.

Our new Prime Minister has stated this week that infrastructure projects should be delivered objectively and rationally on their merits and the South Australian government wholeheartedly agrees. I look forward to working with the new federal cabinet and watching it engage with the states on many key developments in our cities across the nation and working collaboratively with the Minister for Cities and the Built Environment. I am optimistic that the productive working relationship will continue.

The SPEAKER: When the government is formulating questions to ask itself, it might take closer order with the answers. The leader.