The South Australian Political Landscape

[Strawb]

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sa ... 6375565216
THE South Australian Labor government will "suspend" its ambitious plans for the electrification of Adelaide's metropolitan rail network in a major savings measures to be announced by Treasurer Jack Snelling in tomorrow's state budget.

The Australian Online can reveal that Treasurer Jack Snelling plans to "suspend", rather than "defer or delay", the remaining components of the $2.1 billion program.

[Jimmy_041]

Will we get hit with a carbon tax?

[gossipgirl]

Will we get hit with a carbon tax?

government needs more money ... it will need to be an oxygen tax

[Sojourner]

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sa-government-to-halt-21bn-rail-plan-as-part-of-budget-savings/story-e6frg6n6-1226375565216
THE South Australian Labor government will "suspend" its ambitious plans for the electrification of Adelaide's metropolitan rail network in a major savings measures to be announced by Treasurer Jack Snelling in tomorrow's state budget.

The Australian Online can reveal that Treasurer Jack Snelling plans to "suspend", rather than "defer or delay", the remaining components of the $2.1 billion program.

So what happens to the new Electric Trains ordered from Bombadier? Have they paid anything to the company for the order and will it be refunded? The 2000 class "Jumbos" are already life expired and having various mechanical and safety issues as reported often in the media. The 3000 class are ageing rapidly also, hence the reason the order for new trains was placed. Simply patching them up is not a good option for the state.

Also the infrastructure to Gawler is already up and work is well underway on the Noarlunga line. Will poles just be left there for a future government should they decide to pick up the project or do they take them down in the meantime?

[once_were_warriors]

Hope they have checked the contract.

[Jimmy_041]

I just worked out who Sojourner is:

[Gozu]

Mildly off topic but I thought the decision (since renounced I think) to extend the tram line down to Port Adelaide was madness given the train line is already there.

[Dogwatcher]

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sa-government-to-halt-21bn-rail-plan-as-part-of-budget-savings/story-e6frg6n6-1226375565216
THE South Australian Labor government will "suspend" its ambitious plans for the electrification of Adelaide's metropolitan rail network in a major savings measures to be announced by Treasurer Jack Snelling in tomorrow's state budget.

The Australian Online can reveal that Treasurer Jack Snelling plans to "suspend", rather than "defer or delay", the remaining components of the $2.1 billion program.

I had heard three weeks ago this was on the cards. I dismissed it as idle gossip - given the work that's already started. Sadly, I was wrong.

[mick]

They would be far better off suspending the hospital we don't need. Unfortunately the Adelaide Oval now resembles a war zone so that one is impossible. So like the Bannon government, the Rann/Weatherill government will leave a disaster in its wake.

[The Sleeping Giant]

Mildly off topic but I thought the decision (since renounced I think) to extend the tram line down to Port Adelaide was madness given the train line is already there.

Crazy isn't it.

[southee]

They would be far better off suspending the hospital we don't need. Unfortunately the Adelaide Oval now resembles a war zone so that one is impossible. So like the Bannon government, the Rann/Weatherill government will leave a disaster in its wake.

Agreed. Very sad to see Adelaide Oval in the state it is ATM.....too far gone to stop anything on that one.

Hospital looks like it will be a disaster too.

[once_were_warriors]

On Infrastructure:

Hospital : much needed

Desal plant plus north south connector : much needed

Southern Expressway duplication: good investment.

Adelaide Oval : Bad investment

Superway : Overpasses at Grand Junction and freight line at a 1/3 of the price would have been sufficient.

Tramline to the Port : Pie in the sky.

Delay in electrification , depending on current contractual arrangements is a good decision.

Need to concentrate on upgrading pinch points with the road network , investment in signalisation harmony would improve things dramatically.

[Sky Pilot]

They would be far better off suspending the hospital we don't need. Unfortunately the Adelaide Oval now resembles a war zone so that one is impossible. So like the Bannon government, the Rann/Weatherill government will leave a disaster in its wake.

Absolutely spot on. Memories of the State Bank disaster. Drop kicks on North Terrace ruining our state before our eyes and we are powerless to stop it.

[The Sleeping Giant]

On Infrastructure:

Hospital : much needed

Desal plant plus north south connector : much needed

Southern Expressway duplication: good investment.

Adelaide Oval : Bad investment

Superway : Overpasses at Grand Junction and freight line at a 1/3 of the price would have been sufficient.

Tramline to the Port : Pie in the sky.

Delay in electrification , depending on current contractual arrangements is a good decision.

Need to concentrate on upgrading pinch points with the road network , investment in signalisation harmony would improve things dramatically.

Funny how we see things differently. I see Adelaide Oval as the only good investment.

[southee]

Adelaide Oval....will be all "exciting" and "glitz and glam" for about 3 years then die a "slow death".

Over 40,000 at Crows game last weekend so to use the Footy Park is too far out to get to excuse is pathetic.

The fact is when a team is the HOT people will flock to a ground no matter what.

Total waste of money.

[mick]

The capacity of Adelaide oval was big enough for both quisling teams in the invader's league, the majority of their supporters are of the fair weather type. The vics destroyed our football heritage now we will also pay the economic price. Bread and circuses by a dishonest government to divert attention from their other blunders.

[The Sleeping Giant]

In case you forgot, it's used for cricket also. Not many members upset with the new stand.

[dedja]

WADH ...

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-31/t ... sa/4043856

[southee]

WADH ...

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-31/t ... sa/4043856

One word ...WHY?

Mrs Southee and I had a laugh at this on channel 10 tonight.

I thought this new Labor state government was getting rid of the media "spin"???

[Jimmy_041]

He obviously needs more media advisers