RAIL COMMISSIONER (MISCELLANEOUS) AMENDMENT BILL

Introduction and First Reading

Received from the House of Assembly and read a first time.

Second Reading

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for Gambling) (22:02): I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

I seek leave to have the second reading explanation inserted in Hansard without my reading it.

Leave granted.

The Rail Commissioner (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2011 is one component to further effect a long-term restructure and integration of the State's public transport functions.

Integration of the State's public transport functions has seen the consolidation of TransAdelaide and the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure (DTEI) Public Transport Division functions under one management and business administration structure and the removal of duplicated functions.

The integration has resulted in improved planning for bus, train and tram services, while enhancing the delivery of customer service and information. It has also allowed for the streamlining of contracts for bus, train and tram services.

This integration also supports the $2.6 billion investment currently underway to transform Adelaide's public transport network into a vibrant state-of-the-art system. This investment also delivers a program of works to meet our ambitious State Strategic Plan target to increase the use of public transport and make Adelaide a more sustainable city.

The Rail Commissioner (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2011 is an essential component of the ongoing integration of the State's public transport functions, with three key objectives:

To repeal the TransAdelaide (Corporate Structure) Act 1998. This will also end the formal responsibilities of the TransAdelaide Board. The Board is no longer required as the responsibilities of the Board transferred to the Rail Commissioner from 1 September 2010.

To amend the Rail Commissioner Act 2009 for the Rail Commissioner to be accredited under Schedule 4 of the Passenger Transport Act 1994 to enter into future service contracts with the Minister for Transport for train and tram services. This is the same arrangement afforded to TransAdelaide for accreditation under section 39 of Passenger Transport Act 1994.

To amend the Rail Commissioner Act 2009 to allow the Annual Report of the Rail Commissioner including financial statements to be incorporated within the Annual Report of another public sector agency responsible to the Minister (currently DTEI), effective 1 July 2011. This will provide greater administrative efficiency and mirrors the arrangement that exists for the Commissioner of Highways under section 28 of the Highways Act 1926.

I commend the Bill to Members.

Explanation of Clauses

Part 1—Preliminary

1—Short title

2—Commencement

3—Amendment provisions

These clauses are formal.

Part 2—Amendment of Rail Commissioner Act 2009

4—Amendment of section 7—Functions

This clause amends section 7 to provide that the Rail Commissioner will be taken to hold an accreditation under the Passenger Transport Act 1994 to operate passenger transport services by train or tram as operated by the Rail Commissioner from time to time.

5—Insertion of section 15A

This clause provides that the annual report of the Rail Commissioner to the Minister (required under the Public Sector Act 2009) may be incorporated with the report of another public sector agency responsible to the Minister.

Schedule 1—Repeal of TransAdelaide (Corporate Structure) Act 1998

1—Repeal of TransAdelaide (Corporate Structure) Act 1998

This clause repeals the TransAdelaide (Corporate Structure) Act 1998.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. D.W. Ridgway.