Freight Corridors

Mr MURRAY (Davenport) (14:34): My question is directed to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. I ask whether the minister could update the house on how the Marshall Liberal government is delivering better services by improving freight corridors and thereby keeping South Australia moving?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD (Gibson—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:34): I thank the member for Davenport—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The minister has the call.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the member for Davenport for his question and note his interest in our $12.9 billion infrastructure spend—more money going into infrastructure in South Australia than this state has ever seen. Almost $4 billion over the next four years—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —and those opposite scoff at that, but that means jobs. That means jobs and better services for South Australians. What really goes to the heart of this question is the difference between what our government delivered and what their government delivered. We care about country roads. We care about country roads on this side of the house. We care about road shoulder sealing to make our roads safer. We care about road widening and other safety treatments to save lives on our regional roads.

What did they do on the other side when the roads got a bit deteriorated? Just slashed speeds, shut the speeds down. Don't invest in improving the roads; no, just drop the speeds. They didn't care about the regions. They didn't care about seats out in the country. To quote the former Premier, Premier Weatherill, he said, 'There's no votes for Labor out in the regions.' Isn't that true? You can see from the way that they allowed those facilities to deteriorate. On this side of the house, we care about the people in the regions and we want to invest in people in the regions. That's why we're investing record amounts in regional South Australia.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Ramsay!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: The regions have borne industry for South Australia; that is where it comes from. They are the backbone of our economy and we appreciate that. From primary industries to mining, our regions are crucial for South Australian jobs. One of the things we're investing in is our key freight routes. That is where productivity comes from and that is where jobs come from. By improving these freight networks, we will see benefits for the whole of the state.

Whether it is getting to port, getting cattle to ship, livestock to ship or grain to market, that is what is important. Forestry, wine, minerals, seafood—getting them to market and getting exports. That is what is important along a heavy freight vehicle route. Ultimately, what does that mean? Jobs, jobs for South Australians, and that's what we are focused on.

The upcoming federal government, we're speaking with them about improving our freight routes even further. 'How can we partner? How can we work with you? What can we do?' They are very receptive because they know the importance. That said, from the outset I did point out that our record of delivering for our regions is far better than those opposite.

They neglected them; we are investing: $200 million to duplicate the Joy Baluch Bridge; $10 million for sealing 50 kilometres of the Strzelecki Track, a very important project in the Minister for Energy and Mining's electorate; $122½ million for the Port Wakefield overpass. How many times have we talked about the Port Wakefield overpass? Wouldn't know where—

The Hon. S.C. Mullighan: Has it started?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: Yes, it has, and you wouldn't know where Port Wakefield was—

The Hon. S.C. Mullighan: Really?

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Lee!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: Wouldn't know were it was, the member for Lee.

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis: Fraser doesn't either; he's always in Adelaide.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for West Torrens is warned for a second time.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: The member for West Torrens is not welcome anywhere out of his local streets, I can tell you. I'm happy to have him in my electorate and come doorknocking with me on any occasion.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: $92 million for the Victor Harbor Road—that's also out of the city; you wouldn't know where that was. $92 million in the member for Finniss' electorate, the minister for regional affairs.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, members on my left!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: These are projects that we are fixing.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Hurtle Vale!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: Again, remember what they did with country roads when they deteriorated? Just dropped the speed limits. That was their answer. Well, we're fixing that. We're fixing that, and we're delivering jobs in the process. These increased productivity gains will of course lower costs for businesses that use these freight corridors and at the same time provide better services for the community. On this side of the house, the people in the regions have a government that cares.

The SPEAKER: Before I call the member for West Torrens, I warn the member for Badcoe and I warn the member for Hurtle Vale. The member for West Torrens.