Health Budget

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:17): Is the Treasurer now modifying his promise to the people of South Australia made last week, that there will be no cuts to front-line staff, to a modification now that there will be no cut to the ratio?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (14:17): When I was asked at a press conference on Sunday when I was standing outside a development site which was being invested in because of—

Mr Marshall: Yes, good background. Cut to the chase.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Yes, I will. I will just give you a bit of background about the budget.

Mr Tarzia: Didn't ban those donations, did you, John?

The SPEAKER: The member for Hartley is warned a second and final time.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I find his remark offensive, sir, and I would ask him to withdraw.

The SPEAKER: And what was the remark?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: That I was drumming up donations from developers.

The SPEAKER: Did the member for Hartley say that the Treasurer was drumming up donations from developers?

Mr TARZIA: No, sir. I did say, 'John, you didn't ban those developments, did you?' but I will withdraw if it offends the Treasurer, sir.

Members interjecting:

Mr TARZIA: 'Donations from developers'. I will withdraw, sir.

The SPEAKER: You will apologise and withdraw unreservedly.

Mr TARZIA: I apologise and withdraw unreservedly.

The SPEAKER: Treasurer.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Thank you, sir. When I was asked a question about the opposition's health shadow spokesperson saying that he had found in the budget that we were sacking front-line staff as savings measures in the budget, I responded that there were no measures in the budget that were taking front-line staff off our health system. We will abide and honour all enterprise agreements that have ratio mixes for acute beds, making sure that the nursing ratios remain, but we are making efficiencies.

Transforming Health is about providing a better service for the people of this state, and the health minister is doing an amazing job of transforming our health system. It's not about saving money, it's not about saving dollars: it's about saving lives. It's about giving people better health outcomes with the best care, first time. I am more than happy to compare our track record on health with members opposite any day of the week and twice on Sundays.