Public Transport Inquiry

Mr TARZIA (Hartley) (14:50): My question again is to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Can the minister please advise the house who will take part in the commission of inquiry into train and tram operations?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Energy and Mining) (14:50): That is yet to be announced, and when it is announced I will personally call the shadow minister and let him know who the eminent person is who will be conducting the commission of inquiry.

Mr Tarzia: Every phone call is a gift.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Every phone call is a gift, yes, and I will be putting out a press release. There are a number of people the government are considering for the position. The department will be involved ultimately as well. The commission of inquiry will also look at not just trains and trams but also the viability of bringing our buses back in. We will be looking at experts, because we haven't had buses in our government fleet—that is operationally—since the Diana Laidlaw days, when we had another program of privatisation by members opposite.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Morialta! Member for Chaffey! The minister has the call.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I did point out, sir, that it is unparliamentary to speak in foreign languages in the parliament.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I could reply in Greek, sir, but I suspect—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —everyone would understand what I was about to say.

The Hon. J.A.W. Gardner: Efharisto.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: No, it wouldn't be efharisto, no. There will be, obviously, involvement from the department and officials from SAPTA, and, of course, the eminent person who will be conducting the inquiry who will have the requisite skills in contract law to get to the bottom of any unusual clauses put into the contracts.