Personal Explanation

MINISTER'S REMARKS

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:43): I seek leave to make a personal explanation.

Leave granted.

Ms CHAPMAN: Yesterday, during question time, I asked the Minister for Health a question in relation to the example of the use of a taxi service in Mount Gambier to transport a potential kidney transplant patient. The minister indicated that he would inquire into the matter. Later that afternoon (he says today that it was at about 3.13, and I have no reason to suggest that that is not correct), he advised the house of what information he had been provided by his department. In summary, it included that there had been a policy whereby taxidrivers had been utilised to transport prospective transplant patients.

The dispute on that is a matter for another day. Further, in relation to the case cited, he said that there had been an ultimate flight to Adelaide with the transplant kidney being utilised; and I think all members in the house were pleased to hear that.

What the minister did today during question time was to assert to the house two further things. First, he said that criticisms were made by me to the house in respect of RFDS officers and SA Ambulance officers. He said in his opening statement 'ambulance officers in Mount Gambier'. I totally and utterly refute that allegation. The statement is clear in the Hansard in support of the question and in no way does it assert what is alleged by the minister.

Secondly, he asserted that there was knowing action on my part to publish this inaccurate information subsequent to being informed in the house. Today he said that at 3.49pm yesterday—after the statement had been made by the minister at 3.13pm—that there had been a publication by facsimile transmission of a media statement.

Mr Speaker, this is the position: first, the facsimile transmission took place at 2.49pm. However, as you may be aware, Mr Speaker—and I am sure others in the house are aware—the facsimile machine from Parliament House had not been changed for daylight saving. The plot thickens because not only was that inaccurate information provided by the minister, he came into the house today—

The Hon. M.J. ATKINSON: I have a point of order, sir.

The SPEAKER: Order! The deputy leader has made her explanation and nothing further is required.

Ms CHAPMAN: I seek leave to make a further personal explanation.

The Hon. M.J. Atkinson interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I am loath to receive leave. In essence, the deputy leader has explained what happened and that is all that a personal explanation allows for.

Ms CHAPMAN: Sir, I want leave to make a further personal explanation.

The SPEAKER: Leave is sought. Is leave granted?

The Hon. M.J. Atkinson: No.

The SPEAKER: Leave is not granted.

The Hon. G.M. GUNN: I have a point of order, sir.

The SPEAKER: I know what the member for Stuart will say. What he says may be true, but it is not a point of order.

The Hon. G.M. GUNN: All right; you have drawn the line in the sand.