Public Transport

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (15:41): Thank you, sir. My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. When was a decision taken to offer unsuccessful bidders a loser fee of up to $1 million to participate in a contract?

The SPEAKER: The Minister for Energy and Mining on a point of order.

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Standing order 97: it suggests something that may or may not be true and it is hypothetical.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: On the point of order, member for Lee.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: Sir, this is a publicly acknowledged fact. It has been the subject of media reporting and confirmation from the government.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The point of order is well made. The question was premised on a fact. If the member for West Torrens would like to seek leave to introduce facts, he might go ahead and do so. I will give him an opportunity.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. When the decision was taken to privatise Adelaide's train network, was there a loser fee in the initial tender process?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD (Gibson—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (15:42): We are not privatising the train network; we're outsourcing it.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!