Jetty Road Tram Works

Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (14:43): My question is to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. Can the minister update the house on the assistance provided to the Jetty Road traders with the recent upgrade of roads and tramlines down at the bay?

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee—Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister for Housing and Urban Development) (14:43): I thank the member for Morphett for his question and his interest in this area. Can I also wish you a happy birthday, Mr Speaker, for the weekend just gone.

Mr Gardner: That's debate, sir, and sucking up.

The SPEAKER: It's both of those.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: There has been significant coverage of the tram works which were required to be done down at the Bay on Jetty Road. Of course, the replacement of these tram tracks was necessary as they were past their useful life. These works were initially scheduled to run for a period of eight weeks between April and June but, immediately on hearing of the works, the member for Morphett lobbied and was responsible for ensuring that these works were delayed by the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure until after Mother's Day, not only a key trading day but a time of the year that signifies a change of trading conditions for many of the businesses on Jetty Road.

Not only did the member for Morphett suggest that we delay the works until after Mother's Day, but he also asked if it might be possible for these to be contracted from the eight-week period to approximately four weeks to lessen the impact on traders. These are the sorts of matters that a strong local advocate would make on behalf of their constituents. I am pleased to say that the program was—

Ms Sanderson interjecting:

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

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: It is ironic that the member for Adelaide should interject—somebody who argues against tram works in globo, including expanding the network.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: 'Glob Link', yes. It's quite similar, isn't it?

Mr GARDNER: Point of order.

The SPEAKER: Is the point of order that the minister shouldn't respond to the member for Adelaide's interjections?

Mr GARDNER: Well, we could do that or just straightforward debate. The interjections were minor by comparison to the ongoing provocation.

The SPEAKER: I will listen carefully to what the minister has to say, but if members on the opposition side would stop interjecting then obviously the minister wouldn't respond to those.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: To be fair, there can be no comparison between the member for Morphett and the member for Adelaide in their advocacy for their local communities. Not only were the tram works shortened, but they were delivered in only 19 days, and at the end of those 19 days the member for Morphett requested that the government make funding available for a promotion campaign for businesses along Jetty Road.

Once again, because of his strong local advocacy, we moved to provide that funding, that $40,000, which was only then subsequently matched by the City of Holdfast Bay. I point out that this campaign will be in addition to existing marketing initiatives, which will aim to increase visitation, expenditure and length of stay for people who visit the Jetty Road precinct.

This promotion will include digital radio and print advertising, including social media through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. A centrepiece of the campaign sought by the member for Morphett is the giveaway of a vehicle, a Honda Jazz, I am advised, for anyone who spends at a participating store, cafe or restaurant and signs up to receive the Jetty Road Lifestyle blog. I congratulate not only the member for Morphett on his unstinting and unwavering advocacy on behalf of his community but also the Jetty Road Mainstreet Committee for their work in collaboration with the member for Morphett to make sure that what was—

Mr Bell interjecting:

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: —a very disruptive program has been delivered in a way to most benefit those traders, both during construction, but more importantly into the future.

The SPEAKER: The member for Mount Gambier interjects repeatedly, presumably on the assumption that he would reject such largesse for his electorate on principle. He is called to order.