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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-11-12 Daily Xml
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RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE

Ms BETTISON (Ramsay) (14:41): My question is to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. What is the South Australian government policy on urban rail infrastructure and what external factors have impacted on its implementation?

The Hon. I.F. EVANS: Point of order. Surely the Labor member of parliament knows their own policy. She is asking: what is the Labor policy? She is a member of caucus; surely that is known to the caucus.

The SPEAKER: No, it is not publicly available.

The Hon. I.F. EVANS: Surely it is known to the caucus.

The SPEAKER: No; the Minister for Transport is about to reveal the policy to us and, no doubt, pour oil on troubled waters. The Minister for Transport.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Housing and Urban Development) (14:42): Sir, I come in peace. Not only do these infrastructure projects create jobs, they also create faster and more efficient public transport. It is important to note that the opposition was deriding this question when I started. Our investment recognises, across the rail networks, an investment in the future.

We know rail investment is intrinsically linked to investments in our communities and is at the centre of our unprecedented infrastructure spend. We recognise that it is a key element in building a stronger South Australia. These investments and projects will ensure the state remains one of the best places in the world to live, work and do business. Whether it is electrifying or revitalising our urban rail network, or grade separations to improve efficiency in our freight lines, this government is directing money towards modernising our rail networks.

The newly elected federal government has made its position clear: it will not fund urban rail. This government, however, believes there is a crucial role for the commonwealth to play in supporting urban rail projects. This Labor government remains committed to investing in vital public infrastructure. However, there are some in our community who say that investing in infrastructure is a false economy. Under this government, our transport infrastructure is not an afterthought: it is a strategic platform, an economic driver; that is why we will not fade quietly into the night and let people like the commonwealth rip investments away from South Australia.

This government's position is clear: the cancelling of the Tonsley public transport project was wrong. We do not support the commonwealth ripping that money out. The Labor government's position is clear on the cancellation of electrification to Salisbury: we do not support it. We do not support it because it puts a handbrake on our economy. We do not support it because either tenderers had bids in, in good faith, or contractors had boots on the ground.

Ripping away this project not only sees hardworking South Australians sacked for no good reason, but also creates sovereign risk in our community. Our position is clear. The federal government's position is clear. There is only one position that is not clear, and that is that of the opposition. No-one knows if they support the cuts or not. Is it because, perhaps, the Leader of the Opposition just simply agrees with everything Tony Abbott does?

The SPEAKER: A point of order from the member for Heysen, who is not herself particularly orderly today.

Mrs REDMOND: No, sir, and you have already warned me about that, but this is a legitimate point of order because the minister is debating.

The SPEAKER: I will listen carefully to what the minister has to say.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: This government will stand up for South Australia. We don't lack the courage to tell Canberra when we think that they are wrong. We have a vision to build a stronger South Australia. During the last federal campaign, Senator Xenophon was fond of quoting New York City mayor Ed Koch. He said, 'If you agree with me on nine out of 12 issues, then vote for me; if you agree with me on 12 out of 12 issues, see a psychiatrist.' The Leader of the Opposition agrees with Tony Abbott all the time.

The SPEAKER: A supplementary.

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