River Murray Flood Response

The Hon. F. PANGALLO (14:51): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Attorney-General, representing both the Premier and Treasurer in another place, a question about road repairs.

Leave granted.

The Hon. F. PANGALLO: Amid media fanfare in February, as the River Murray flood started dissipating, the Premier and Treasurer announced a $60 million road repair package for River Murray communities substantially damaged by floodwaters. Last week, my Chief of Staff and I witnessed firsthand some of the damage caused to the many roads and highways impacted by the once-in-a-generation flood when we visited some of the worst impacted areas.

What became obvious to us and is of considerable concern to all the affected councils is that the $60 million, which by the way isn't new money but money funded from within existing allocations, won't come close to fixing all the road damage. There is also concern that the resiphoned $60 million is only to repair damage already caused and not to futureproof the damaged roads to ensure they aren't so severely impacted the next time there is a similar flood.

The council CEOs and mayors I spoke with last week are seeking an additional commitment of government funds—new funds—to help them with the betterment of the damaged roads. My questions to the Premier and Treasurer are:

1. Is the government considering/open to committing new funds to help affected councils improve, not just repair, roads and infrastructure damaged by the floods?

2. How much of the $60 million is being given directly to local councils to help them repair council-owned roads and how much is being given to DIT to repair government-owned roads?

3. Do you agree with the logic of council CEOs and mayors who argue that if you are going to repair a flood-damaged road it makes sense to commit more funds to improve its flood resistance?

4. What other road projects across South Australia have been delayed or mothballed as a direct result of the $60 million being funded from within other allocations?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:53): I thank the honourable member for his question. He has indicated two ministers in another place, but I suspect this spans even more than those two ministers, so I will take that question on notice and bring back a reply from the relevant minister or ministers in another place for the honourable member.