Question Time

Road Funding

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:31): My question is to the Premier. Is the state Labor government committed to funding the remainder of the estimated $2.5 billion required for the Adelaide Link project, as well as the remaining sections of the north-south corridor which are estimated to cost $3 billion and, if so, will the state government's contribution to these projects be included in the July state budget?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (14:31): It's wonderful to see the Leader of the Opposition joining in the celebration of this fantastic announcement today of $500 million by a federal Labor government, should they be elected on 2 July. This is a wonderful thing for South Australia and, of course, the money comes with no strings attached. It actually does not require the South Australian government to make a co-investment.

It is an investment by the federal Labor government in public transport without any strings attached. They obviously have been attracted by our vision for 2036, which was set out in the transport and land use planning report, which was a landmark report. It has been taken up by Infrastructure Australia and remains a priority project on Infrastructure Australia's list. Of course, this was a plan that we promoted out to 2036. It was a long-term plan and, indeed, I think the indicative time lines set out in our—

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Well, if you listen, and maybe if you go back and read the report, you will realise that there was a long-term time line laid out for the building of that tram network. This $500 million investment gives us a massive impetus, and frankly, given that the federal Liberal government ripped $500 million out of our automotive assistance, it is only fair that we should have this investment going back into South Australia.

Can I contrast the two documents—our 2036 document, which contains detail and policies and investing programs, and the empty, arid, pointless document that was promoted by those opposite in desperation to save the leadership of the South Australian branch of the Liberal Party. That's what it was. Let's be honest and let's have a moment of candour about what that document was about: it was about trying to prevent the Springborgs or, indeed, the Barnetts creeping their way into the South Australian electoral system. That's really what this was about.

Members interjecting:

Mr GARDNER: Point of order, sir.

The SPEAKER: The house falls silent for a member for Morialta point of order.

Mr GARDNER: As it should, sir. Standing order 98 requires that members answer the question, not debate it.

The SPEAKER: I will listen very carefully to see that the Premier is answering the substance of the question. The Premier appears to have finished and therefore I call to order the Treasurer, the members for Davenport, Adelaide, Stuart, Morialta, Unley, Goyder, Mitchell, Kavel, Hammond, Schubert, Newland and Chaffey, and the leader. I warn for the first time the members for Morialta and Mitchell, the leader and deputy leader.

Mr Whetstone interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Chaffey is warned.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Chaffey is warned a second and final time, as is the leader and the member for Mitchell.