North-South Corridor Tunnel

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA (Hartley) (14:25): My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Did the minister meet Spanish company Acciona as a potential bidder or as an actual bidder? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Yesterday the minister claimed that he met with Spanish company Acciona in February this year, and I quote, 'on the basis that I wanted to make sure that I could see works that they were doing in other jurisdictions because they were potential bidders' and he went on. However, documents reveal that this meeting was held during a time period which was also the time period of stage 2.2 of a request for proposals phase for Majors Road, for which Acciona was actively bidding and was ultimately a successful bidder.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Energy and Mining) (14:26): Thankfully, it wasn't at my house at a party, which I know members opposite were very fond of doing with Acciona. The former Premier met with Acciona at his house. He used to have regular parties at his house and he would invite industry leaders to his house.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Elder!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I'm not sure if his press secretary was there. Were you there when Acciona were there? You were there, okay. Who paid for the food and beverages? We will find out.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: As I said yesterday, before embarking on my trip to Spain and Italy I sought probity advice about all my meetings with either potential or current bidders. It's fair to say that the minister is not made aware of who is actually bidding in projects for the very reason my young friend raises.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I see his older friend asking a few questions in the background there. It is important to remember this: ministers rely on the advice of their agencies. I do not conduct the actual tenders. They are conducted by the independent public sector. They are conducted by my agency. Before I met with any of the potential or actual bidders, I sought probity advice about what I could or could not say, and I followed it to a letter.

If my young friend has an accusation to make, I encourage him, under the cloak of parliamentary privilege, to make it. I am more than happy to make sure that all my meetings are above board and, of course, they all have been. What I have never done, ever, in my 26 years in parliament, is invite any active contractor to my house for a private party, not once—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Morialta!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —especially a contractor involved in a contract that is nearly a billion dollars, to my house for a private engagement: not once.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Morialta is warned.

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for West Torrens is warned. The member for Flinders has the call.