Kangaroo Island Ferry

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:25): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking questions of the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport regarding the Kangaroo Island SeaLink ferry vessel.

Leave granted.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: The government confirmed on 3 October this year that there is a delay in the delivery of SeaLink's two new ferries. As a result, the new service start date has been pushed back to 1 June 2026. Despite repeated calls for updates, this latest announcement has caused further frustration, uncertainty and economic pain for Kangaroo Island residents, particularly for local businesses, farmers, residents and tourists who rely heavily on the ferry service for freight and also transport.

While it is noted an announcement has been made regarding support for Kangaroo Island residents, including the Resident Vehicle Saver Fare and a reduced rate for livestock freight until the end of 2026, the government's oversight of this project requires transparency. So my questions to the minister are:

1. When did the government first become aware that the delivery of the new SeaLink ferries would be delayed?

2. Did the government or the department request an update from SeaLink on the vessel delivery schedule and, if so, when was this requested?

3. What is the total cost overrun associated with the supply and delivery of these new vessels, including the cost of the Resident Vehicle Saver Fare and the reduced rate for livestock freight until the end of 2026?

4. Why are the saver fares for residents only available on specific trips? Why is it not available on all trips?

5. Why will the government not commit to extending the reduced cost for farmers needing to transport stock permanently instead of only up until December 2026?

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Autism) (14:28): When I came into this role, I think I met with SeaLink very early in those days of taking on the role and we were able to work together pretty quickly to be able to make sure that we could provide some certainty to the community.

In regard to what would be happening, as a state government we have completed our port. That is done. Our component has been completed: a $70 million upgrade has been delivered. It is disappointing that those ferries that were due to be available are not here. Because of that inconvenience, we were able to work with SeaLink and come up with a compromise on how to best support those who have been patient, and that is the community of Kangaroo Island.

This was a contract that was signed under the previous government, and as the minister I feel I have acted pretty quickly in giving some certainty back to that community. As has been agreed and has been highlighted previously, we have been able to bring the Resident Vehicle Saver Fare in earlier, as would have been anticipated if the new boats were arriving. That fare will be made available to KI residents, which is $30.35, which is a saving of $48.55.

The reason why we have dedicated that—it comes in from 1 November—to the two earlier trips in the morning, and I believe from memory the two later trips in the evening, is because we wanted to provide the right balance for residents. That is the ferry link that they use the most, is what I have been advised, in the morning because they are going over to the mainland; it is two trips then. This cheaper fare will be available on two morning departures (5.30am and 7.30am) from Penneshaw and two evening departures (6pm and 7pm) from Cape Jervis as they were determined as the busiest ones used by residents.

The reason why we didn't do it across the entirety of the day, which we spoke with stakeholders about as well, is if we did it across the entirety of the day it would impact the tourism opportunities. We wanted to give a saver back to the residents, whilst also giving the opportunity to give space on the ferry for the tourists. That is why those four schedules, I guess, were given to the discounted fare, which I think is being received well by both stakeholders and residents as well. This is a project, as I said, that the government has delivered on its $70 million port. We will continue to work with the local community and any other residents as well.