South Coast District Hospital

Mr PENGILLY (Finniss) (15:07): Thank you, Mr Speaker. The Encounter Bay Eagles won last Saturday's grand final in the Great Southern League. It may be an omen, sir. My question is to the Minister for Health. Your government promoted that the employment of permanent doctors on site at South Coast District Hospital will reduce costs to the health system and implement better services at the hospital. Is it correct that the costs incurred to date under the new model are over budget by $2 million due to Country Health SA's inability to secure doctors with the desired skill sets and lack of interested applicants at South Coast District Hospital since April?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (15:08): It's certainly not my understanding; in fact, I know one of the doctors who's gone down there, and he is a very well respected emergency department doctor who's gone to work at South Coast District Hospital; but, certainly, I haven't been informed about either it being over budget or of there being any difficulty recruiting doctors. I imagine doctors would be very happy to go and live in beautiful Victor Harbor. The only thing that might in fact turn them off is the local member, but—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Oh, come on, don't be so sensitive! Goodness me!

Mr PISONI: Point of order: imputing—

The SPEAKER: The delicate member for Unley has a point of order.

Mr PISONI: Sir, the minister is making personal reflections upon a member. It's against standing orders.

The SPEAKER: Yes, I uphold the point of order.