CORONAVIRUS —
TRANSPORT PROJECTS
428. Dr A.D. BUTI to the Minister for Transport:
I refer to the McGowan Labor
government's record investment in road projects and the key role they
will play in supporting the state's economy as it recovers from the
impacts of COVID-19. Can the minister update the house on the work underway to
deliver vital upgrades to Thomas Road and can the minister outline to the house
what these upgrades will mean for motorists and residents in the south-eastern
suburbs?
Ms R.
SAFFIOTI replied:
I
thank the member for Armadale for his question and also the member for Kwinana
for his interest in Thomas Road. Thomas Road is a major east–west
connector and the traffic on that road in particular is increasing because of
not only freight transport, but also
significant residential development. Last week, the Premier and I visited Thomas
Road and we stopped off at Oakford where the Premier visited the lunch
bar. He had a very good reception there.
Mrs A.K. Hayden interjected.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI: I am glad the
member for Darling Range interjected.
Mrs A.K. Hayden interjected.
The SPEAKER: Can we just get
on with answering the question, please.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI: The reception
was quite incredible not only at the lunch bar but afterwards at the Roleystone
Fresh IGA. I remember visiting the IGA a lot as a kid, but also more recently
during the by-election. The reception there at the time was 50–50—geez,
hasn't it changed a lot at that IGA in Roleystone!
Several opposition members
interjected.
Mr D.A. Templeman: What have
you got against the IGA in Roleystone?
The SPEAKER: Member for
Mandurah! It is not even anywhere near your electorate. I call you to order for
the first time.
Point of Order
Mr Z.R.F.
KIRKUP: I believe that the question was about infrastructure
projects, Thomas Road and the like. I do not see how this relates to the
question.
The SPEAKER: That is not a point
of order.
Questions without Notice Resumed
Ms R. SAFFIOTI: A lot of
people who use the IGA actually use Thomas Road too, so there is a direct
correlation, member. What a reception at that Roleystone IGA!
Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected.
The SPEAKER: Order! I said
before that we are on a tight schedule because at five minutes to three I am
stopping questions. Treasurer, I call you to order for the first time, but it
is good to see that everyone is happy today.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI: Investment in
those south-eastern suburbs has never been greater than it has been under this
government. Our priority on Byford and Thomas Road, and as the member for
Kwinana —
Mrs A.K. Hayden interjected.
The SPEAKER: Member for
Darling Range, that is enough.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI: The member
for Kwinana will be able to testify how much was spent on Thomas Road when we
were in opposition.
Mr R.H. Cook: Nothing.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI: Nothing was
spent. What has happened so far? We have done some significant works including safety upgrades to about four kilometres of the
road east of the Kwinana Freeway. We have secured funding for the Thomas Road–Nicholson Road roundabout and
we have also funded the Thomas Road–Kargotich Road intersection
through the black spot program and —
Mr B.S. Wyatt: There's
more.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI: We hope there
is more. We are currently in negotiations with the commonwealth government. We
hope there is more because we know that the good folk of Darling Range need a Labor
government to deliver for them, because under the previous government they got
nothing!