APY LANDS, ROAD MAINTENANCE

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (15:23): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Leader of the Government a question about road maintenance on the APY Lands.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS: I recently received a letter from a person who lives and works on the lands. This person is concerned about the state of the roads in the area, specifically in the western communities of the lands. This is certainly an issue that concerns me, and I have raised it here in the past. Let me share part of the letter, as follows:

It appears that funding has dried up for road maintenance on the APY Lands, demonstrated by the fact that a grader has not visited the western community since before Christmas. Since grading of roads here has ceased conditions have become dangerous and very costly for road users, with suspension failure occurring even in brand new Toyota Landcruisers.

My questions to the minister are:

1. Can he confirm the last time a grader was sent up to the western communities in the APY lands?

2. What action will be taken by the government to ensure that, at the very least, these roads are graded to a safe and acceptable standard?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy) (15:24): I thank the honourable member for his questions. I will refer them to the appropriate minister in another place and bring back a response.