Road Upgrades

Mrs POWER (Elder) (15:39): My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Can the minister update the house on how the Marshall Liberal government, through the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, is stimulating the economy and helping to build what matters in South Australia?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD (Gibson—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (15:39): I thank the member for her very important question and note that it is 1 December today. Christmas might be just around the corner, and we are dashing all the way when it comes to creating more jobs for South Australians, getting infrastructure projects off the ground and building what matters. There's no 'sleighing' down when it comes to getting contracts out the door and more jobs for South Australians.

In the next two months alone, in November and December, there is almost three-quarters of a billion dollars of tenders that will be released; in fact, the figure is $680 million, to be precise. This is the Marshall government stimulating our economy and getting on with the job. These projects will create 1,500 jobs during the year during construction. That means we have had more than $1.35 billion in tenders for construction projects released this year, and I think that is absolutely outstanding.

Compare that with around $200 million of construction from the Labor government in 2016. Right now, it is like Santa has come early. This is around seven times the investment of what Labor did in 2016, and that is quite a phenomenal figure. I know they don't like it on the other side. They are sitting over there with their resting grinch faces. They don't like Christmas and they don't like that figure. They hate it when we get on with the job. Mr Speaker, with all that—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —I am about to tell you that you will have to hold onto your 'reins, dear', because there is a lot more coming down the pipeline. There are around $16.7 billion of works, and we are building what matters for South Australians: schools, roads, hospitals and sporting infrastructure, and there is a whole lot more to come.

If I could take this opportunity to list a few of the projects for which tenders have been released in November or will be released in December, some of these key projects include the Stuart Highway, where there is over 30 kilometres of work. I know the member for Giles will be very happy with that. On the Sturt Highway, there is about 25 kilometres of rehabilitation works. Again, there are jobs out in the regions. On the Horrocks Highway, there is pavement rehab between Brinkworth and Gawler, another important project. Also on the Horrocks Highway is about 25 kilometres of sealing and pavement rehabilitation from Wilmington to south Melrose.

In the member for Flinders' electorate—and what a fine member he is; he has done an incredible job over the journey, working for his electorate—on the Eyre Highway between Ceduna and Penong, we are fixing around 65 kilometres near Nundroo and there is about 27 kilometres of shoulder sealing and widening. That is another great job for his community. On the Barrier Highway around Burra, there is more work happening, with road widening, shoulder sealing and pavement rehabilitation. For the Main South Road and Victor Harbor Road duplication, tenders are going out.

There is pavement rehabilitation on the Oodnadatta Track. On the Riddoch Highway, again there is more pavement rehab. On the Strzelecki Track, there is stage 1—the early works—and stage 2, a vital project for South Australia. On the Copper Coast Highway, there are two locations in the vicinity of Paskeville and Kulpara. On Maitland Road, there are two locations between Maitland and Ardrossan. On Minlaton Road, it is between Minlaton and Stansbury—the member for Narungga is on fire.

In metropolitan Adelaide, there is Gorge Road and Silkes Road; the intersection of Portrush Road and Magill Road; Cross Road and Fullarton Road, that intersection too; Glen Osmond Road and Fullarton Road, another intersection being upgraded; Grand Junction Road, Wingfield, much to the delight, I am sure, of the members for Enfield, Port Adelaide and Croydon, impacting their community; and I know the member for Lee will be excited about works on the Coast Park, Grange to Semaphore, stage 1, that are happening on the linear trail there.

We are a government that builds what matters to South Australians, and roads are right up there. We are going to be making our roads safer and more productive, and the flow-on effects for commuters and the economy are going to be massive. I am looking forward to next year as more jobs roll out, as more boots hit the ground and as more workers get to work and earn an income to feed their families. With that, merry Christmas to all and enjoy what the Marshall government is doing, which is building what matters.