Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2019-07-02 Daily Xml

Contents

Public Transport Privatisation

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (14:44): My question is for the Treasurer. Did the Treasurer meet with any international or interstate operators who may bid for the government's contract to operate our public transport rail network prior to yesterday's announcement? Does the Treasurer still not understand the meaning of the word 'privatisation'?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (14:44): On the second question, I do understand the meaning of the word. It is, sadly, the opposition frontbenchers who are struggling to understand the meaning of the word. So let me discount that particular assertion very, very assertively. In relation to who might be bidding: I don't know who is going to bid. Until you actually put out an expression of interest, you don't actually know who is bidding. It's impossible for anyone to answer that particular question in relation to it because, I am not sure whether the Hon. Ms Bourke has ever been involved in an expression of interest proposal or program, but until someone actually bids you don't actually know who is bidding.

The Hon. E.S. Bourke: You had no discussions with anyone?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: No.