Page 2778 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 6 October 2021
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to be in a position to commence construction in the first half of next year. Throughout all of this, we will continue to engage regularly and positively with the Canberra community. We understand how important it is that everyone has a chance to shape our city’s biggest ever infrastructure project.
Light rail—stage 2 economic analysis
MR PARTON: Minister, I refer to the Auditor-General’s report on the business case for light rail stage 2A. That report states that disruption costs were excluded even though expert advice suggested that an estimate of these should be included in the cost-benefit analysis. Minister, were you or were you not aware of the exclusion of the disruption costs from the cost-benefit analysis?
MR STEEL: I thank the member for his question and his interest in light rail. The ACT government is committed to getting on with investing in this future-focused infrastructure project, which will deliver major benefits. We have committed to maximising the benefits of this project by taking it from Gungahlin to Woden. We have shown an unparalleled transparency with this project in releasing the stage 2A business case to the public and also releasing the entire unredacted business case to the Auditor-General.
Mrs Jones: Point of order on relevance, Madam Speaker. The minister was asked succinctly whether he was aware of the exclusion of the disruption costs from the cost-benefit analysis. He has not said anything relatively interesting in that regard yet.
MADAM SPEAKER: Your commentary is unnecessary, Mrs Jones.
MR STEEL: Madam Speaker, I might continue my answer.
MADAM SPEAKER: Please.
MR STEEL: We have provided that information to the Auditor-General showing an unparalleled level of transparency so that they can undertake their performance evaluation, and the government will be responding.
Mrs Jones: Point of order, Madam Speaker. He has gone back to exactly the same answer as before. I know that you did not call my point of order, but—
MADAM SPEAKER: No, I did not Mrs Jones. Resume your seat. I will give a ruling on the point of order. He is in order. He can continue.
Mrs Jones: Correct, but the question I am asking is—
MADAM SPEAKER: Resume your seat. He can continue.
MR STEEL: Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I will continue. This business case was undertaken based on best practice Infrastructure Australia guidelines for developing business cases.
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