Infrastructure Projects

Mrs POWER (Elder) (14:46): My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Can the minister please update the house on how the government is investing in jobs to build what matters in South Australia?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD (Gibson—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:46): I thank the member for her question. With the end of 2020 just around the corner, I think everyone in this house would agree with me when I say thank goodness. What a year 2020 has been. Our state has had one of its toughest years on record. We started with severe bushfires—they are almost hard to remember now—and then, of course, we have lived through a pandemic.

This year really has tested all South Australians, but I think it has only made us stronger as a state. In fact, I think in a way it has brought everyone closer together. The year 2021 will bring in a new era, one of rebuilding and rebounding, and that will deliver a stronger South Australia, which is what I think we all want. That is why the Marshall Liberal government is building what matters, and that is why it is important to be doing that.

I am proud of South Australia, I am proud of its people and I am proud to be a South Australian. It's a great state, it's got a great history, it's got unique beauty, it's got wine, it's got @ShitAdelaide, and it's got a sense of humour and that's what I like about South Australia and what we like about South Australians. We are a great state, we are great people and we are growing great opportunities here for all the people across our wonderful state. We cannot—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —go back to the dark old days of Labor—

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis interjecting:

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

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —but we remember them well. We can't go back to when those opposite were in power. We remember what they left us. They were the days of no progress, the days of no future, the days of spin and the days of half-done jobs. As you would be aware, Mr Speaker, the Treasurer only recently handed down his budget, and in that budget of course, there is a forward commitment of $16.7 billion to build the infrastructure that South Australia needs over the next four years—

Ms Hildyard interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Reynell is called to order.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —infrastructure that will create 19,000 jobs and that is what we are about on this side of the house—

Ms Hildyard interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Reynell is warned.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —we are about creating jobs. That record investment will help build South Australia. It will build us better roads, it will build us better hospitals, better schools, better water infrastructure. It will build a better state for everyone, including sporting and community facilities as well. This provides South Australians with a great deal more certainty and hope than they have ever seen for a long period of time under the previous government.

There are uncertain times through COVID but, with this investment, we have that certainty going forward for our great state. We will always do what we can to strengthen South Australia, and a number of key infrastructure projects outlined in the budget pay tribute to this:

$30 million to deliver Golden Grove stage 2;

$33 million for the Golden Grove park-and-ride;

$40 million toward boat ramps, marine bridges, jetties and structures across our state;

$37 million to fix the Port Bonython jetty, enhancing export opportunities;

$250 million toward the Hahndorf township to create a heavy vehicle bypass;

$180-plus million toward Main South Road and Victor Harbor Road;

$135 million toward upgrading the Strzelecki Track; and

$35 million toward fixing the South Eastern Freeway.

Then we have the north-south corridor, the Torrens to Darlington stretch. This is a great announcement for our state. This is one that takes us forward. I hear excitement when I speak to people on the street about the tunnel-boring machines and the two-tunnel project. This will take our state to another level and will generate jobs—almost 4,000 jobs—through the life of this project, which is what our state needs.

We are also upgrading our roads in the regions. We put $100 million in the regions and in metropolitan Adelaide towards fixing our roads, because we know they were neglected by those opposite, and that was greatly received. There was match funding of $168 million from the federal government as well. We appreciate their support and love working with them.

Clearly, this budget and our record over the past almost three years speak for themselves. They speak volumes and we are delivering for the people of South Australia. We cannot go back to Kouts' economics. We cannot go back to the Malinauskas Transforming Health policies we had.

Mr PICTON: Point of order.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: We have laid out our plan to build—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —what matters for South Australia and build a better future.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The minister will resume his seat. The member for West Torrens will leave for 20 minutes under standing order 137A.

The honourable member for West Torrens having withdrawn from the chamber:

The SPEAKER: The member for Kaurna on a point of order.

Mr PICTON: The minister knows he should refer to members by their proper titles.

Mr Malinauskas: Where's Christmas this year, hey, Peds? Where's Christmas this year? Working again?

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr Pederick interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Hammond is called to order. I remind all members that it's disorderly to refer to members by their names. I will leave it at that for the moment. I think the minister has concluded his answer.