Bus Services On Demand

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (14:35): My question is to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. Of all the companies vying for the on-demand bus trial, was Keolis Downer the only company his office met with prior to awarding them the $1.7 million contract?

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL (Schubert—Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government, Minister for Planning) (14:35): Can I say that these tender processes are actually undertaken at arms length. They are undertaken at arms length for me, so much so—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: —that the only point that I knew that Keolis Downer was a tenderer was when it was recommended to me to give them the contract. In fact, I don't even know who the other tenderers are, and the point here is that this is done at arms length. It is being done at arms length, as is proper. What I find interesting again is that, like a number of times before, there is a gentle insinuation that the member is seeking to make. If the member would like to make that insinuation—

The Hon. S.C. Mullighan: It's not gentle.

The SPEAKER: The member for Lee is warned.

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: —then make it. And more than that, if the member is actually pretty confident about his assertion—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: —maybe go out there and say it and see what happens because this castle should not be used for this kind of behaviour.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order, Mr Speaker: this is clearly debate, sir.

The SPEAKER: You have asked about companies vying for a contract and a certain company and whether the minister's office met with any other companies, I believe. That is the way I caught the question. The minister has provided some relevant background information. I ask him to come back to the substance of the question.

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: Sir, without any substance, I think there is nothing more I can add.