Public Transport Privatisation

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (15:00): My question is to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. When did the minister begin discussions with the national regulator regarding the employment structure with the Rail Commissioner and tram and train staff being outsourced?

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL (Schubert—Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government, Minister for Planning) (15:01): It's not a discussion that I have had; it's a discussion that the Rail Commissioner has had.

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis: TB-S.

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: That is the shortened name by which some of us speak about him. Can I also confirm that the Rail Commissioner, otherwise known as the Chief Executive of the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Minister for Innovation and Skills and the member for West Torrens, can you please stop this.

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: —doesn't actually have a purchase card. The CE of DPTI currently does not have a purchase card. He doesn't feel it necessary to take me out to dinner—

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order.

The SPEAKER: The point of order is for debate. I uphold the point of order.

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: —and crack open the booze.

The SPEAKER: I ask the minister to come back—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Minister, please come back to the substance of the question.

Mr Malinauskas interjecting:

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

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: The Rail Commissioner has already had those discussions with the regulator. Those discussions, quite clearly, will be ongoing at various parts throughout the process, but certainly the update I provide is that that is progressing well at this early stage.