Repatriation General Hospital

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:46): Supplementary, sir: is the minister suggesting that he would be happy for a press conference to be called and senior staff be authorised to speak to the media about the plans that the government has to close the Repat?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (14:46): Yes, of course. We've had Dr Tideman yesterday who had a lot to say about Transforming Health and about the response of the opposition.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: You've forgotten? Well, I haven't got it in front of me, I'm afraid, but there are some particular points that stick to mind. From memory, he said words along the line that the opposition's response to Transforming Health was completely inadequate, that they were lazy and that they should all resign and make way for some Liberal politicians who might come into this place and do something constructive. He made some remarks about the fact they had been in opposition for 13 years and it was little wonder that they'd been in opposition for 13 years because they had been unable to respond to any proposals put forward by the government in any sort of adequate way.

The SPEAKER: Yes, I think that's probably enough from one staff member. Could we move on to another?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: I am happy to. Professor Dorothy Keefe has been a little bit more restrained in what she has said about the opposition, but one need only read the transcript of her interview this morning where she—a very experienced clinician. I would rather have my life in the hands of Professor Dorothy Keefe than any of the mob opposite. Professor Dorothy Keefe articulated why these reforms were so important. We've had a panel of over—three panels, in fact: a panel of doctors, a panel of nurses and a panel of allied health.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: I know they want to try to shut me down. They just don't like hearing it, but nonetheless we have around 60 clinicians from across SA Health and across our health service, people who spend their lives day in, day out looking after the most vulnerable South Australians who have helped develop these proposals, who developed the clinical standards, and that's why it's so important. So, of course, anyone who wants to have a say on this, I absolutely welcome it because I know that, unlike those opposite, the majority of clinicians in SA Health realise that there is a strong case for change. We can't stick our heads in the sand. Things need to change. We need to be able to deliver health in a far better way than we have been.

Mr MARSHALL: Supplementary, sir.

The SPEAKER: Before we go to the supplementary, I call to order the member for Kavel, the deputy leader, Chaffey, Morialta, leader, Schubert, Newland, Taylor. I warn the member for Hartley for the first time, in addition to calling him to order. Supplementary, if it be a supplementary.