Hospital Beds

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:16): Supplementary, sir: does the minister agree with recent statements by medical officers at the Royal Adelaide Hospital when they advise that the unsafe environment caused by overcrowding had not just happened overnight. Last year and the year before had also seen the Royal Adelaide Hospital emergency department experience extreme overcrowding of patients, creating a dangerous and unsafe environment for staff and patients.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (14:16): That is exactly why eight years ago—

Mr Marshall: Do you agree with the doctors?

The SPEAKER: The leader is warned.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: That is exactly why eight years ago this government took the decision to build the new Royal Adelaide Hospital—because we saw the existing Royal Adelaide Hospital was just not going to be able to keep up with demand. Those opposite argued against it. The South Australian public can see right through you lot.

Mr GARDNER: Point of order, sir. The minister keeps saying terrible things about you. I think it's time you dealt with him.

The SPEAKER: The member for Ashford.