Train Station Upgrades

Mrs POWER (Elder) (14:35): My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Can the minister update the house on how the Marshall Liberal government is creating jobs through the significant investment in refurbishing train stations all across South Australia?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD (Gibson—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:36): I thank the member for Elder for her very important question and, of course, this is just another example of the growing pipeline of infrastructure projects that are being delivered by the Marshall government. We are so happy to be rolling out these projects and, in the process, creating thousands of jobs for South Australians. Our infrastructure spend is some $16.7 billion and part of this is upgrading our train stations.

It was a pleasure to be with the Premier today. Of course, the member for Elder was there and the Liberal candidate for Badcoe was there as well, Jordan Dodd. It was good to be chatting with her about the upgrades that we are doing and how important it is for South Australia and our public transport sector—$111 million over 10 years into improving these stations. We know that under the previous Labor government they talked a lot about public transport, but we are delivering. Under Labor, declining patronage and poor facilities—that is what they left the people of South Australia.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Lee!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: They don't like it. They don't like investments in public transport—hard to believe—but we are delivering. The Gawler electrification, a great project, we are happy to be rolling that out. The park-and-rides that we are delivering right across South Australia, again, are being adored by the people, especially in the north-east. We are about delivering better services for the people of South Australia. That $11 million, as well, is going to go towards 14 stations on the Gawler line. Of course, we are electrifying that line; $715 million is going into that and 14 stations—including Ovingham, which is getting quite a big refurb because of the overpass that's going on there.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: They don't want us investing in train stations on the Gawler line. It's hard to believe. They didn't want to—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Playford!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —electrify it. We are getting on and doing that project. They had that on again off again more times than you could care to remember. Now we are investing in 14 stations upgrading them on the Gawler line, and they don't like it. It is unbelievable. The Ovingham station, I mentioned that.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Wright!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: A big upgrade for that one there as well; the Goodwood station, the Adelaide station, and Ethelton station are getting an upgrade. It has been left to deteriorate beyond belief. They should be ashamed of themselves on the other side of this chamber for what they did to that station, and we are refurbing that one as well. This is sensational.

I heard the member for Elizabeth asking about the stations that will be upgraded and he was looking at the Salisbury station. Well, that's on the list, as are Smithfield, Gawler Central, Tambelin, Islington, Ovingham—I mentioned the big upgrade there—Womma, Dudley Park, Greenfields, Kilburn, Nurlutta, Dry Creek, Gawler Oval, Kudla and North Adelaide. They are some of the stations that are getting the upgrade. They are getting refreshed.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: They still carp on about it. They still don't like it. But it's alright. We are getting on with the job of improving public transport here in South Australia. Again, the member for Elder is very delighted that Woodlands Park is getting an upgrade as well as part of this. We are very excited to be doing that. Mind you, that just goes along with a number of projects she has delivered for her community. Of course, Springbank, Daws and Goodwood, that road—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for West Torrens is warned.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —is coming along wonderfully well. Of course, all the great work that she has done is in rectifying the mess that Labor left as far as the Repat hospital is concerned—their Transforming Health and their plan to shut down the Repat were a disgrace—again another infrastructure project that the member for Elder has advocated for, which is sensational.

With this program, what we will be doing each year is $7.5 million will go into the upgrade of more stations so we can improve the amenities of public transport users. As part of that, there will be new shelters, seating, bins, lighting upgrades and also painting and landscaping, just to improve that amenity, make it safer and attract more people back onto public transport. I can't believe how much noise they make about this, and what we are doing is getting on and delivering what is important for the people of South Australia—

Members interjecting:

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

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —because we know the mess that Labor left it in. We are getting on and fixing the job, and we are building what matters to the people of South Australia.

Mr DULUK: Supplementary, sir.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, members on my right! Before I call the member for Waite, I warn the member for Chaffey for a second time, I warn the member for Reynell and I call to order the member for Ramsay.