Infrastructure Projects

Ms LUETHEN (King) (14:34): My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Can the minister update the house on how the Marshall Liberal government has been creating jobs and delivering new projects for South Australians since January this year?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD (Gibson—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:35): I thank the member for King for her question and her passion for building the infrastructure South Australia needs. She asks about jobs, and that is the order of the day. It is the government's primary focus, and keeping South Australians in work and creating more jobs is what it is all about.

Last week, we saw the unemployment statistics come out and, while there is always more work to do, it was very satisfying to see the massive jump in the right direction. We have dropped down now to 5.7 per cent, which shows that our infrastructure-creating projects are generating the jobs that South Australia needs, and we are very proud of that.

In fact, last month here in South Australia we created more jobs than any other state in the country—15,000 in the month of April alone. That is absolutely outstanding, Of course this is very much on the back of our $16.7 billion infrastructure spend. We are building the infrastructure that South Australia needs.

Mr Whetstone interjecting:

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: The member for Chaffey says that figure again—$16.7 billion. It is outstanding.

I was actually up on the South Eastern Freeway with yourself, sir, the member for Kavel, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Premier just last week, having a look at some of those projects. Just running a brush over what we have started rolling out since January this year, since January this year there have been $680 million worth of projects that have begun or are underway. That is a phenomenal number.

It is creating some 1,500 kilometres of roadworks along the way and creating 2,500 jobs in the process. That is 2,500 families that are being fed on the back of the investment we are making to build very important infrastructure. I will mention that figure again: $16.7 billion over the next four years. That's 19,000 jobs, and as we come out of the back of COVID we know how important that is. Those opposite don't like it when we talk about jobs, and we are not hearing much from them at the moment, but that is a key focus we have on this side of the house, and we are very pleased about that.

I mentioned catching up with the Deputy Prime Minister and the great relationship we on this side of the house have been able to build with the federal government. That saw us, in the last federal budget, receive 22 per cent of the new infrastructure money—22 per cent coming to South Australia for more of those infrastructure projects. It is absolutely outstanding. That means more jobs, and we can keep getting on with what we're doing—that is, building what matters for the people of South Australia.

I would like to take a moment to run through some of the projects we've got underway that are delivering those 2,500 jobs. Since January, we have started major works on the Goodwood/Springbank/Daws roads intersection, and the member for Elder is very excited by that project. That is one that was ignored for 16 long years under Labor. For 16 long years they did nothing, but guess what? We are getting on with the job—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Lee!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —and we are creating jobs in the process. The Magill-Portrush intersection is another big upgrade and a very important project. The Main North Road-Nottage intersection upgrade, the member for Adelaide—a great member and a good minister—is very happy to see that—

Members interjecting:

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

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —project done to decongest that area. Again, for 16 long years there was nothing.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: Now we're hearing from them—because we are getting on and doing the project. Main North Road/Kings Road/McIntyre Road is another intersection we are improving. We have also started work on the Grand Junction/Hampstead/ Briens roads intersection. I was out there the other day, and that work is underway as well. We have also started resurfacing work on the South Eastern Freeway. We know how important that is to you, sir, and the member for Kavel and your electorates.

The Stuart Highway is another important project, as is the Eyre Highway, where the member for Flinders is seeing works rolling out. There is the Barrier Highway—more work in the member for Stuart's electorate—and the Princes Highway, the Horrocks Highway and the Riddoch Highway. I was in the South-East over the weekend visiting the member for MacKillop and also the member for Mount Gambier, and some great work is happening there. Again, here we are generating jobs and building what matters for South Australia.

The SPEAKER: Before I call the member for Giles, I call to order the member for Schubert and I call to order the member for Chaffey.