House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2)
2007-11-14 Daily Xml

Contents

TRAIN DERAILMENT

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite—Leader of the Opposition) (14:58): Did any injuries occur and have any claims for compensation been made to the government as a result of the train derailment on 27 September?

The Hon. P.F. CONLON (Elder—Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister for Energy) (14:58): It is my understanding that there were some minor injuries. Whether or not there have been claims for compensation, I do not know. I have been on the record deeply regretting that outcome—we do not want it to happen; we never want it to happen. But I will go back to something you said in your hyperactive dishonesty yesterday about 100 injuries. I will provide the house later with the details of those 100 injuries because, from memory, I think only two of them could be described as anything other than extremely minor. I also have to say that they compare favourably with your last term of government. In the last few years of your term of government, there were actually more door incidents than there are now.

The Hon. K.O. Foley: Oh, really?

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: Yes. What we need—

An honourable member: Was that 'door' or 'jaw'?

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: Jaw, yes. What we need is an opposition that is prepared to deal with basic honesty about these questions, and I repeat what I have said. Since the members for Davenport and Frome have gone, the standard of honesty in the opposition has plummeted.

Ms CHAPMAN: I rise on a point of order, Mr Speaker. That was a direct reflection on members of the house, and I ask that it be withdrawn and apologised for.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! It was not a personal reflection, but it was debate and the member is out of order. I call the Leader of the Opposition.