Public Transport

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:23): My question is to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. Has the state government engaged any consultants on working on the outsourcing, lease or sale of the train or tram system in South Australia?

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL (Schubert—Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government, Minister for Planning) (14:23): I think I have actually made public statements about the fact that we have been taking advice and looking into models all around the globe of how public transport systems operate. No decisions have been made, but we are looking at ideas—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: —because we want to see a better future for our public transport network. We are also—

Mr Malinauskas interjecting:

The SPEAKER: We have the question.

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: —putting our money where our mouth is when it comes to augmenting the public transport network. So we are already delivering—and Mr Speaker will be very pleased to know—on our commitment to deliver a park-and-ride at the Paradise Interchange.

Mr PICTON: Point of order: this is clearly debate. The question was specific to: 'Have any consultants been engaged?'

The SPEAKER: I have the point of order. I am listening attentively. Minister.

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: Actually, it is part of some consultation that's being undertaken in relation to the north-east planning study, which does include having a park-and-ride at Paradise. That planning study has actually been out there, and I am due to get the final completion of it very soon. The great news for those commuters who have been looking for better car parking capacity at Paradise for eight years plus—I am trying to think back to when Labor first promised it but then didn't deliver it—

The SPEAKER: As long as I can remember.

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: —is that we have been able to put a plan out at the moment, which is going to the—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: —State Commission Assessment Panel, which not only delivers on our election commitment to deliver 775 car parks at Paradise—Mr Speaker, you must wait because there is more—we are actually on track to deliver 850 car parks at the Paradise park-and-ride, an extra 75 beyond—

Mr PICTON: Point of order: debate.

The SPEAKER: The point of order is for debate. I uphold the point of order, as pleasing as that information is to me. Could you please get on with the substance of the question, minister, thank you.

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: Certainly, sir. We have also engaged consultants around other parts of our network that need to be augmented—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: —especially the announcement we made a couple of weeks ago, having secured the funds to properly deliver the Flinders Link extension of the Tonsley line out to Flinders University. Again, it was much talked about—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: —but there was never enough money on the table. Now it's being delivered through a commitment, with fifty-fifty funding from the federal government. It's fantastic news for the people of the southern suburbs and for the future of Flinders University and the medical precinct that exists around there.

Mr PICTON: Point of order: the minister is continuing to defy your order in regard to his debate.

The SPEAKER: I think the minister—

Mr PICTON: The question was specifically in relation to—

The SPEAKER: I have the point of order. I don't need an impromptu speech. I think the minister has finished his answer.

Mr Malinauskas: He hasn't answered the question.

The SPEAKER: He has.