KNIGHT, PROF. J.

84 Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite) (19 June 2012).

1. Why was Professor John Knight not reinstated as Director of the Cardiac and Thoracic Surgical Unit at Flinders Medical Centre and why has his contract at Flinders Medical Centre not been renewed past 30 June 2012?

2. Has a performance review of Professor Knight's work been undertaken since his return to Flinders Medical Centre?

3. Is the non-renewal of Professor Knight's contract at Flinders Medical Centre for budgetary reasons, and if so—

(a) does this mean Flinders Medical Centre will have a cut in its allocation of cardiothoracic surgeons despite the rapidly increasing workload due to the ageing population; and

(b) does this contravene statements by the Government that no front-line medical staff will be cut in light of the response to the cost blow-outs in SA Health of some $125 million?

4. What are the implications of the non-renewal of Professor Knight's contract on waiting lists for Cardiac and Thoracic patients, particularly patients in country South Australia, whom Professor Knight has assisted in previous years?

5. What action will the Minister take to ensure that the clinical, teaching and research experience, and skills of Professor Knight are not lost to South Australia, particularly at this time of establishing the SAHMRI?

The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna—Minister for Health and Ageing, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Arts): I have been advised of the following:

I am unable to comment on these matters as they are currently part of judicial proceedings.