House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2018-05-09 Daily Xml

Contents

Transport Infrastructure

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL (Schubert—Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government, Minister for Planning) (14:04): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: The Marshall Liberal government welcomes the federal government's $1.8 billion investment in South Australian infrastructure announced in the federal budget. South Australia has secured $1.8 billion of federal funding for South Australia, in addition to the $2 billion of defence infrastructure spend, and in addition to the $2.3 billion worth of works already underway on the north-south corridor.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL: This is unequivocally good news for South Australia. The Marshall government has been working constructively with the federal government from day one to secure funding for important infrastructure projects in this state. By working constructively and collaboratively with the federal government, we have been able to secure this for South Australians. In seven short weeks, we have been able to secure federal funding for key projects, including:

$1.4 billion for further sections of the north-south corridor;

$220 million for the Gawler line electrification, which represents a 50 per cent contribution as part of the National Rail Program; and

$160 million for the Joy Baluch Bridge upgrade on the Augusta Highway. This represents a significant 80 per cent contribution.

This funding builds on the federal government's significant existing investment in South Australia, including the ongoing upgrade of the north-south corridor through the Northern Connector, the Darlington Interchange and the Torrens Road to River Torrens projects currently being delivered. In 2018-19, the federal government will provide $545 million to South Australia, with a total of $1.4 billion committed to 2021-22 for projects in this state.

This government's constructive relationship with the federal government has resulted in South Australia receiving $1.8 billion of new infrastructure projects, which is our population share, to improve the lives of South Australians and create jobs. The state government will now work quickly to develop the necessary business cases and ensure a continuous pipeline of work flowing into our state.

We have committed $2 million to accelerate business case development for the remaining sections of the north-south corridor, and we have also committed to developing the business case for Globe Link. Once this government has completed the business cases, we can have discussions with the federal government about reprofiling funding so that we can deliver these key infrastructure projects for South Australia when they are ready.

We will establish Infrastructure SA to ensure that we have a continuous pipeline of productive infrastructure projects to deliver for South Australians. Unlike those opposite, we are getting on with the job. We are doing the work, and we are progressing significant infrastructure projects for this state.

The SPEAKER: Before I call for questions, I call the leader to order and warn him a first time. I also call to order the member for Playford.