House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2)
2008-02-26 Daily Xml

Contents

AAMI STADIUM

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite—Leader of the Opposition) (14:49): I have a supplementary question.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH: My question is again to the Premier. Will the program of work to rebuild West Lakes to World Cup standard include public transport infrastructure for rail or light rail? What work will be required, and how much will it cost?

The Hon. M.D. RANN (Ramsay—Premier, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change) (14:50): Here we go! This is the man who would be premier in his own mind. Let me explain how the bid process works. As to the successful bidder, we are likely to be up against England, and don't forget that England is very keen to host it. The last time they hosted it was in 1966, when they won, so they feel that there might be a home-town advantage. Can I reflect on that glorious day in 1966, with Bobby Charlton, Bobby Moore, my good friend Gordon Banks, Geoff Hurst and the others.

England will be bidding hard to get it, and so may Beijing, but we are going to mount a credible bid. We will know in 2011 whether we have been successful in winning the bid for 2018. But, if you think it is smart to build railway lines or a chunnel to Football Park and to announce a $1 billion stadium ahead of time, before we win the bid, then you are not qualified to be premier of South Australia.