House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-06-17 Daily Xml

Contents

O-Bahn Tunnel

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:48): My question is to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. Was a cost-benefit analysis undertaken for the O-Bahn tunnel project prior to its announcement and, if so, what was the cost-benefit ratio?

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee—Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister Assisting the Minister for Planning, Minister Assisting the Minister for Housing and Urban Development) (14:49): Thank you very much, deputy leader. I am very pleased to be answering another question on this fantastic project. I note with some interest that the deputy leader is asking me this question rather than the shadow spokesperson for transport but, nonetheless, we will continue. This is a far superior project to—

Ms CHAPMAN: Point of order.

The SPEAKER: Could the minister be seated? I've got a strong suspicion that this is not going to be a point of order, but I will hear it.

Ms CHAPMAN: How could you possibly say that, Mr Speaker? I seek your guidance, sir, to this extent: the minister seems to be denying that he has responsibility for transport and infrastructure. This is an infrastructure project, so if the minister feels he is unable to answer it and that someone else in the government wants to take it, I am happy for them to do that.

The SPEAKER: That is a bogus point of order, and the deputy leader is warned for the first time. Minister for Transport.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: As I said in my previous answer, we were very pleased, the Treasurer and I, to be announcing this project. This is a project that will deliver very substantial benefits to people who use the O-Bahn corridor, in particular in comparison to a project which was previously announced—from memory, in 2009 or 2010—and which provided for dedicated busways rather than a tunnel, which is now being proposed in the O-Bahn city access.

This will avoid two intersections, the Hackney Road and North Terrace intersection and also the Dequetteville Terrace and Rundle Road intersection, which is a far superior outcome to what would have been delivered under the previous, much cheaper O-Bahn project. We are confident that this is a good project. It does stack up. It is good value for money and will provide appropriate benefits for people who use the O-Bahn public transport thoroughfare.

Mr van Holst Pellekaan interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Stuart is called to order. Deputy leader.