Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2017-03-29 Daily Xml

Contents

Mad March Late Night Public Transport

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (14:32): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Police, representing the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, questions regarding Mad March.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY: Statistics from 2015 indicated that activities during Mad March injected approximately $203 million of associated spending into Adelaide, and I understand this year it was even higher. Mad March is renowned as being the busiest time for Adelaide. The Clipsal, the Adelaide Festival, WOMADelaide, Writers' Week and the Fringe Festival injected approximately $203 million of associated spending in 2015, with over half a million people visiting South Australia during the period.

Accommodation is often at capacity and it is well known that the Adelaide Fringe is one of the best arts festivals in the world. Many of the shows that are offered are held at night, often not finishing until quite late in the evening. Staff who work at the venues are often rostered on until 1am during the week or 3.30am on weekends. In the evenings, many public transport services only run hourly, with the last service finishing at midnight. Given the above, can the minister advise why there are not more late night public transport services being offered during Mad March and will he consider any potential improvements before March 2018?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (14:34): I thank the honourable member for his question. As always, I will find out the answer to that question from the responsible minister in the other place and I take the question on notice accordingly.