ROYAL ADELAIDE HOSPITAL

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:48): My question is to the Minister for Health. What protocols or procedures are now in place to protect the Royal Adelaide Hospital from being used by an employee to commit a fraudulent act? The opposition is aware that a staff member is now under police investigation for an internal fraud of in excess of $100,000 at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. In particular, that staff member set up bank accounts using the Royal Adelaide Hospital letterhead with its ABN and then approached suppliers and drug companies, seeking funds to sponsor training events and other employee activities. Further, the handling of this matter by the hospital resulted in others being unfairly left under a cloud of suspicion while it was established that there were no protocols in place to prevent this happening.

The SPEAKER: Order! This matter is presently before the courts and should not—

Ms CHAPMAN: Perhaps the explanation was not clear enough. The fraud is against drug companies, which is irrelevant to the issue of protocols.

The SPEAKER: Order! The deputy leader will take her seat. Any matter before the courts should not be addressed in the parliament. I do not know whether or not it is before the courts. I invite the Minister for Health to answer.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna—Minister for Health, Minister for the Southern Suburbs, Minister Assisting the Premier in the Arts) (14:49): I will have a close look at the statement that the deputy leader made and, if there is information that I can properly provide to the house, I will do so.