Public Transport Privatisation

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:39): A supplementary question to the minister: has the minister had the courtesy to contact the branch secretary of the RTBU regarding the tram and train privatisation?

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL (Schubert—Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government, Minister for Planning) (14:39): There are actually, as I understand it, five or six separate unions that are potentially affected: RTBU, TWU, CEPU, PSA, AWU and AMWU. Essentially, each of those—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: Each of those was provided—

Mr Boyer interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Wright is warned.

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: Each of those was provided with an opportunity to meet. We provided that opportunity, basically, as soon as the announcement was made. I understand that there is a meeting—

An honourable member interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

An honourable member interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The minister has the call.

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: —potentially today between—

Mr Brown interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Playford is warned for a second and final time.

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: —departmental staff as well as the union. I have previously—

Mr Malinauskas: But not you?

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: I have previously met with the secretary of the RTBU.

Mr Malinauskas: Yeah, whoop-de-do. I have asked if you have met them about this.

The SPEAKER: The leader is warned.

An honourable member: Throw him out.

The SPEAKER: I might today. The minister has the call.

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: I think it entirely appropriate that the information the RTBU would be seeking is best furnished by the department. They have an existing relationship—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: —and existing processes for being able to deal with matters.

The Hon. D.G. Pisoni interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Minister for Innovation and Skills is called to order.

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: We provided that opportunity at the first opportunity. Essentially, I think there are a number of unions that have availed themselves of that opportunity, but certainly the invitation was made as soon as was practicable.