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

Contents

PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:07): Thank you; I have lots. My question is to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. Will the minister advise whether the government has been able to cancel the purchase of electric trains and amend the maintenance contract for those trains due to the cancelled electrification of the Gawler and Outer Harbor lines? With your leave, sir, I will briefly explain.

The SPEAKER: If you must.

Ms CHAPMAN: Yes.

The SPEAKER: It seemed a very clear question to me.

Ms CHAPMAN: Do I have your leave, sir?

The SPEAKER: Yes, you do.

Ms CHAPMAN: Thank you, sir. The government announced the cancellation of rail electrification projects in May last year. In June the former minister for transport said the government was 'seeking to revise' the purchase of 66 electric rail cars. Don't get his advice or it will cost you 500 bucks.

The SPEAKER: I ask the member for Bragg to withdraw from the chamber under sessional orders for the next hour. The Minister for Transport and Infrastructure.

The member for Bragg having withdrawn from the chamber:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Housing and Urban Development) (15:08): I feel like I have lost my muse, sir. The advice I have is that the rail contract for cars was not cancelled: it was revised.

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: Point of order. I believe this is unparliamentary what the member for Chaffey is doing, suggesting something very vulgar.

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Unley can leave the chamber also for the next hour.

The member for Unley having withdrawn from the chamber:

The SPEAKER: I don't approve of interjection by way of mime and I have warned the Minister for Transport previously for the same, but I did not see the member for Chaffey's gesture. The Minister for Transport.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Mr Speaker, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition said in her question that the government had cancelled the contract for new rail cars. My advice is that the government revised the contract. That is the prudent thing to do, but I will get a full answer to the house forthwith.