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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2024-10-15 Daily Xml
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Brighton Road-Edward Street Traffic Lights

S.E. ANDREWS (Gibson) (14:46): My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Can the minister update the house on the Brighton Road-Edward Street intersection upgrade and any alternative views on the upgrade?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Energy and Mining) (14:46): I want to thank the member for her ongoing support for the people using Brighton Road and what they have been suffering through. It was interesting to know the benefit this intersection upgrade has been for the people of the southern suburbs, and especially the local community represented by the member for Gibson, which includes residents of South Brighton, Seacliff, Kingston Park and surrounds who travel along Brighton Road daily.

In fact, there was a time when this upgrade enjoyed a lot of bipartisan support. It received a lot of support from both sides of parliament, including the now former member for Black, David Speirs.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Yes, I remember him. He said on 20 August:

The Edward Street-Brighton Road traffic lights are now operational, making this dreaded intersection a lot safer!

'Dreaded intersection a lot safer'. He goes on to say:

I'm pleased to have been able to secure this funding back in 2021 and while the work took a while to complete, it's finally done!

That is the sound of a relieved member of parliament. That is the sound of a member of parliament who thinks this is good work for the constituents that he serves. It's a stark contrast to Glenelg's mayor, Amanda Wilson, probably because she doesn't live nearby and doesn't know the area very well. This is what Amanda Wilson had to say about the very same intersection:

I am concerned about the economy and the wasteful spending. Just recently, the lights on Brighton Road at Edward Street were put in for $30 million and the people are shocked that the government would spend $30 million on a set of traffic lights.

She goes on to say:

I know what pressure feels like, to have the bills mounting up and families under stress, yet all this spending is going on on unrelated things like $30 million on lights on Brighton Road.

This is the same mayor of Glenelg who increased rates by 7.1 per cent. Do you remember that?

The Hon. S.C. Mullighan: The member for Morphett knows.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: He does, yes.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: It is fair to say that the member for Morphett is about to become famous in the electorate of Black. His words are going to be everywhere. This is the problem with the mayor of Glenelg's comments: the lights didn't cost $30 million, they cost $6 million.

Ms Clancy: Don't let facts get in the way of a good story.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Yes. Not only did they choose a candidate who doesn't live in the electorate—and, in fact, nowhere near it—they chose a candidate who can't count. Now, $30 million versus $6 million is a big difference. I have to say, this was a bipartisan commitment made by the Morrison government, re-endorsed by the Albanese government, supported by the Marshall government and supported by the Malinauskas government, and now the Glenelg mayor thinks that this is a waste of money. You have to ask yourself: who is briefing this person before she goes on radio and says such stupid things about an area she knows nothing about? Luckily, the member for Gibson does know her local area and understands the issues and concerns of her local constituency, as does Alex Dighton, who lives in Hallett Cove. He doesn't just visit there and get his photograph taken.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: They can yell all they like. This by-election has been brought about because of the actions of members opposite.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: What?

Time expired.

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