Oaklands Park Rail Crossing

Ms DIGANCE (Elder) (14:43): My question is to the Premier. Premier, could you update the house on why it is important that the federal government supports the state government's solution to upgrade Oaklands crossing?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (14:43): I thank the honourable member for her question. The member for Elder has been a powerful advocate for the upgrade of the Oaklands crossing.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Mitchell is warned.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: I thank her for her advocacy on behalf of her community. This is a government that is committed to building South Australia, and you might have got that information—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Bright is called to order.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: —where we said we would do such a thing, and there has been unprecedented investment in transport and infrastructure. In 2013, we released an Integrated Transport and Land Use Plan, which was an infrastructure plan for the whole of the state. In that plan, the Oaklands crossing—

Mr Pengilly: Nothing in the budget, nothing, not a thing in your budget.

The SPEAKER: The member for Finniss is called to order.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: In the Integrated Transport and Land Use Plan, the upgrade of the Oaklands crossing was, indeed, contained, in 2013. So, this isn't a recent invention, this is something that we have had as part of our long-term planning. As you remember, during the federal election campaign, the Coalition (that is, Mr Turnbull) made a commitment of $40 million towards this $190 million project. While we welcomed the $40 million, it was obviously a small contribution to a larger project. We were grateful for the commitment but we know that it only makes a contribution.

Last Thursday, the Minister for Transport, the member for Elder and myself visited Oaklands crossing, where we called on the federal government to increase its commitment to upgrade the crossing. We have been able to do that because of the savings that have accrued from the Northern Connector project. This was another great infrastructure project for which I advocated directly with former prime minister—if we recall him, that was Mr Abbott—and Mr Hockey, who is now the former treasurer.

Fortunately, as one of Mr Abbott's last acts, about an hour before he was cut down by his colleagues, he did in fact sign up to the Northern Connector. The wonderful thing about the Northern  Connector is that we were able to bring that project in under budget thanks to the excellent work of the Minister for Transport. The resources that have been saved, which are in the order of $150 million, plus the federal government's contribution of $40 million, allows us to get this project underway.

I was opening the new Marion shopping centre fresh food precinct, which is a wonderful thing—people should explore that; it is another $500 million investment by the private sector in the southern suburbs—and I was able to tell the community about that. They were very excited because they know how hard it is to get through the Oaklands crossing. The opportunity for urban development around the upgraded Oaklands crossing is also significant. I have written to the Prime Minister setting out this proposition, and—

Mr Duluk interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Davenport is called to order.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: It seems as though those opposite are also keen to get in behind this proposition and our solution. Yesterday—

Dr McFetridge interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Morphett is warned.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: —the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure met with the federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport (Hon. Darren Chester) and also the Minister for Urban Infrastructure (Hon. Paul Fletcher) to express our commitment to this project. I understand it was a good meeting. Today, I call on the Leader of the Opposition, and indeed the member for Mitchell, to join with us in standing up for the people of the southern suburbs. Up to this point—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Elder is called to order.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: It would be helpful if they advocated directly with the member for Boothby, who I hope will be a strong supporter with us in this proposition. The Leader of the Opposition, in the lead-up to the last election, touted his relationship with the Prime Minister. Perhaps it is time to pick up the phone.