Public Transport Privatisation

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (14:22): My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Can the minister explain why he said publicly today that the document supporting The Advertiser story today on the privatisation process did not exist?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD (Gibson—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:22): So again this mysterious email that the member has just handed to me that he has been flaunting around to the media, clearly, for the past couple of weeks didn't think it important enough to hand to the minister or to bring to the attention of authorities. I mean, really? Let's be honest. But who would be surprised when it comes to the member for West Torrens because he is just about showmanship. That's all he is about—politics. He is not about delivering for South Australians. Again to the member, I take on board his email. The email was 'fabricated' up until about two minutes ago when you decided that—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: I hear the—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The minister has the call.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: So again, 'I have a secret document. I am keeping it in my pocket. I am not going to show you, but believe me it exists.' The member for West Torrens refused to release it—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —waits to grandstand in parliament. Actually, I will go away and read it. But I can read the first line here, 'We write in relation to the recent media commentary regarding the Adelaide Rail Transformation Project.' So the letter is about media commentary. Who do you think fuelled the media commentary? I wonder who fuelled the media commentary. So here we have the member for West Torrens again—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —just out there mythically making things up—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Interjections will cease.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —before he actually releases the document to the minister.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order, sir: I ask the minister to withdraw the accusation that I am making things up.

The SPEAKER: The minister will resume his seat. The member for West Torrens on a point of order; what are the words the member for West Torrens asks—

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: That I am 'making things up'.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The test, in accordance with standing order 125, is a subjective test. The member for West Torrens has taken offence about the words he has just described. I invite the minister, in the circumstances, to withdraw those words.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: I withdraw those words, if the member is offended.

The SPEAKER: The minister has concluded his answer.