Economic Stimulus Package

The Hon. M.C. PARNELL (15:22): My supplementary question is: Treasurer, when you are in discussions with the federal government about bringing forward some of these—I think he used the word 'shovel-ready'—projects, is consideration being given to redirecting some of those government commitments to projects that are more relevant to South Australia during an emergency, such as projects that create more jobs or, as the Treasurer mentioned, projects that might relate to the health system?

To put the question in another way, rather than widening Portrush Road, Cross Road or Fullarton Road—these contentious urban projects—is the minister asking the feds to redirect some of those tens of millions of dollars to other projects that might be more relevant to South Australia during a health emergency?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (15:22): The simple answer is no. We are actually asking the federal government to put their hands in their back pockets and give us more money for those regional road projects. Both the federal and state governments do believe these projects have merit in terms of built-up areas, but they necessarily take time, for the reasons that I have outlined.

We are not resiling from the importance of the congestion busting intersection projects that have been announced in the last 12 months, but what we are saying in this climate of emergency to the commonwealth government—and they have agreed—is 'Okay, if you are looking for shovel-ready projects and work that can be done much more quickly, then there are important shoulder sealing and, in particular, road sealing works in country areas that fit the bill.'

Previously, I have been publicly quoted as saying overtaking lanes, but I have been advised by people more expert than I that there are marginally more complications in getting overtaking lanes done through planning requirements and others. It is much quicker to get road servicing and shoulder sealing done, and so my language has excluded the third in more recent times, based on much better advice. That is the area that we are negotiating. I am not, but minister Knoll is negotiating with his commonwealth colleagues. As I said, we are very hopeful that in the very near future we will get some announcements in relation to regional road projects.