RAIL COMMISSIONER (MISCELLANEOUS) AMENDMENT BILL

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 18 May 2011.)

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (15:30): I rise on behalf of the opposition to speak to the Rail Commissioner (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2011. This is a short administrative bill that simply ties up some loose ends following the introduction of the Rail Safety Act in 2007. TransAdelaide and the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure's Public Transport Division has come under one management and one business administration function, so duplicate functions need to be removed as part of that streamlining process.

In its briefing paper, the government asserts that this integration has resulted in better public transport services, although I think we can all see that this state, this government, still has a shocking record in reliability of service for buses, trains and trams. For nine years, Labor has neglected South Australia's public transport, leaving commuters to struggle with late buses and trains, dilapidated carriages, breakdowns, and interchanges and train stations that are not safe. Labor is running an ageing bus fleet that in many cases is more than 25 years old, it spent millions on trams that were not suited to our weather conditions, and it has presided over so many breakdowns that commuters are losing faith in our public transport system.

In the last fortnight, I was fortunate enough to be on a transport-oriented tour of some countries in Europe, and the public transport systems in other cities of the world certainly leave Adelaide's for dead. One would hope that the money the government is investing in the electrification of our rail network will go some way towards improving our services. We certainly have a long way to go to catch up with the rest of the world.

Federal Labor's $61 million O-Bahn project has been scrapped as part of Julia Gillard's cuts to programs and infrastructure projects. The O-Bahn is one of the most highly patronised public transport corridors in the metropolitan area, carrying more than 8 million customers per year. The $61 million would have improved bus priority to Adelaide CBD and streamlined access for buses and passengers to one of the city's major public transport precincts, Currie and Grenfell streets.

In criticising the state government's poor handling of the transport portfolio, I do not take away from the hard work of the department, and in particular Mr Rod Hook, who I congratulate on his well-earned appointment as chief executive of the department. We will, of course, support any legislation which genuinely makes their jobs easier and the department more efficient and effective in exercising its functions.

This bill gives the Rail Commissioner the accreditation to undertake his role under the consolidated model of TransAdelaide and the Public Transport Division. That entity is now responsible for the state's trains, trams, bus contracts and taxi services. It is a big responsibility and a tough job, given Labor's neglect of the public transport system in this state. This government, and indeed the opposition, wants to see increased patronage on our public transport; however, the unreliability of services and their infrequency outside typical working hours make it difficult for people to have confidence outside of using private transport.

Under this bill, the TransAdelaide (Corporate Structure) Act is repealed and the board's role transferred to the commissioner. I note that the board's responsibilities went to the commissioner on 1 September 2010 but that the board was retained until February this year, and I repeat the question asked by Mr Steven Griffiths, the member for Goyder: why was the board retained until February? Did the members meet, and was any remuneration paid for that interim period? I would appreciate the minister seeking that information from the department and providing it to this chamber before we conclude the debate and the third reading of this bill.

This bill also amends the Rail Commissioner Act 2009 to give the Rail Commissioner accreditation to run all these transport services. It also allows the annual report of the commissioner to be included within the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure report, which is, I think, a sensible bringing together of those two reports. The opposition will support the bill, and it hopes that it is one step towards fixing up the public transport mess that has come about under this current state Labor government.

The Hon. A. BRESSINGTON (15:35): I rise briefly to indicate my support for this bill. As indicated by the minister when introducing it, this bill is largely administrative in nature, with two of its three provisions providing for the Rail Commissioner to report in the annual report of the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure and to bestow on the Rail Commissioner the appropriate accreditation under the Passenger Transport Act 1994 to enter into service contracts with the Minister for Transport for train and tram services. This is the same accreditation that was provided under the TransAdelaide (Corporate Structure) Act 1998 and brings to an end the TransAdelaide Board, whose responsibilities were transferred to the Rail Commissioner from 1 September 2010. It is my understanding that this is a final step in the consolidation of the former statutory authority back into the department. This is an uncontentious administrative bill and it has my support.

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) (15:36): I understand that there are no further speakers to this bill. As honourable members have indicated, it is an administrative bill. Briefings were offered and I understand that it is not a contentious bill, so with those few words I thank honourable members for their contribution to the second reading stage. In relation to the question asked by the Hon. David Ridgway, I understand officers have a response to that and I am happy, with the indulgence of the chamber, to provide it during the committee stages. With those few comments, I look forward to the committee stage being dealt with expeditiously.

Bill read a second time.

Committee Stage

In committee.

Clause 1.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: In relation to the question the Hon. David Ridgway asked about the board, I have been advised that it was appointed by the Governor to 2/2/11, that it has no role following the transfer of TransAdelaide to RailComm on 1 September 2010 and that payments are made in accordance with appointments.

Clause passed.

Remaining clauses (2 to 5), schedule and title passed.

Bill reported without amendment.

Third Reading

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I move:

That this bill be now read a third time.

Bill read a third time and passed.