Health Budget

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:12): As a matter of clarity, can the Deputy Premier—

The SPEAKER: Is this—

Mr MARSHALL: Supplementary, sir.

The SPEAKER: It is a supplementary; thank you.

Mr MARSHALL: Can the government provide the parliament with any indication of the number of hospital beds that will be cut?

Dr McFetridge: 240 at the Repat.

The SPEAKER: The member for Morphett is warned. Deputy Premier.

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice Reform, Minister for Planning, Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Child Protection Reform) (14:13): I think the only useful thing I can say to the parliament is to repeat what I have just said.

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. J.R. RAU: I'm sorry it is not helpful from the Leader of the Opposition's point of view, but it is what I understand to be the truth and so that is why I am offering that as an answer. But, if it is of any comfort, I will take that question away, and if the Minister for Health, when he returns from his duties, is able to add anything by way of additional comment, I am sure he will do so.