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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-03-21 Daily Xml
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STATE RAIL NETWORK

Mr SIBBONS (Mitchell) (14:23): My question is to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. Will the minister please inform the house of recent investments in the state's rail network?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Housing and Urban Development) (14:23): This government is very proud of its investment in infrastructure. We recognise that our investment into the state's public transport infrastructure is not only creating jobs but creating a transport system for our future. This government has invested more than $1.5 billion in public transport during the past five years. More than $800 million is being rolled out in the next two years. Part of that investment will see the construction of a new Wayville station.

Having received public works approval yesterday, work will commence on the new $16.5 billion state-of-the-art station. A new station will replace the temporary platforms used each year during the Show and reflect the demand for public transport created by the increasing number of events held at the Adelaide Showground.

Our showgrounds are transforming and so is the area around Wayville and Keswick. A new railway station servicing the upgraded Belair and electrified Seaford lines year round will meet the needs of people going to the showgrounds and going to the city and beyond. This station will create a far superior entrance statement to the showgrounds and provide a far more visible station from the Anzac Highway and Greenhill Road. We will also be ensuring that the new station links into Greenhill Road and the commercial industrial precinct west of Anzac Highway, including the Ashford Hospital. The new station will include—

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH: Point of order, Mr Speaker. I seek your guidance in regard to standing orders in respect of matters that are before parliamentary committees. The minister has just said that the matter he is presently addressing to the house was approved by the Public Works Committee yesterday. That was not the case. Evidence was heard, and the committee is still carrying out its work and is yet to approve the project, and it has not been brought before the house. I seek your guidance on two issues: firstly, is it appropriate for the minister to be raising this matter since the work is still before the committee and, secondly, is it appropriate for him to wrongly indicate that the matter had been approved by the committee when it has not?

The SPEAKER: It would be out of order for the Minister for Transport to anticipate the outcome of the committee's deliberations, but my understanding is that the committee's deliberations were in public, so the minister could canvass the project, provided he did not prejudice or anticipate the committee's deliberations on it. Minister.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Sir, of course, if I have in any way pre-empted the outcome of the Public Works Committee, I apologise to the house. I am acting on advice I have received, so, of course, if the Public Works Committee hasn't made a decision, I apologise to the house.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Will the Minister for Transport please be seated. If I hear once more from the member for Bragg, sessional orders will be applied. Minister for Transport.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: The introduction of a permanent train station will strengthen the Adelaide Showground's accessibility for the 1.2 million visitors it receives annually. It also aligns with the showground's master plan as well as the 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide. The new Wayville station will be an asset for our state's rail network. I understand that the opposition thinks these works are a false economy. Perhaps you should tell that to the hundreds of workers working on our rail yards.

The Hon. I.F. EVANS: Point of order, Mr Speaker: the minister has a habit of disobeying standing orders in the last phrase of his contribution every question time, and I just wondered whether it is in order for you to pull him up on that practice because it is a total disregard for the standing orders to comment on the opposition position, which you have constantly told this house, ministers have no responsibility for.

The SPEAKER: I will check the Hansard, including for previous days, and see if the Minister for Transport is a recidivist in this.

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