Ambulance Employees

Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (15:02): My question is to the Minister for Health. Is the minister aware that over 40 South Australian ambulance employees, both paid and volunteers, have been suspended in the last six months for allegations of misconduct? One of those volunteers who spoke to me has—

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: Point of order, Mr Speaker.

Dr McFETRIDGE: Here we go.

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: Standing order 97: the member for Morphett has not sought leave of the house to insert that information. He's not asking a question: he's making a speech.

The SPEAKER: I'll consider the point of order. Would the member for Morphett read his question again?

Dr McFETRIDGE: It's a real question of importance to everybody in South Australia, so they would like to hear what I've got to say. Is the Minister for Health aware that over 40 South Australian ambulance employees, both paid and volunteers, have been suspended over the last six months for allegations of misconduct? Those paid personnel and volunteers—

The SPEAKER: No, no—

Dr McFETRIDGE: —have not been—

The SPEAKER: —just the first sentence. The minister is to disregard the rest. Minister.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (15:03): I am not aware, but nor would I normally be aware. Unless there's a very, very serious allegation of misconduct, normal disciplinary matters that go on within the department aren't brought to my attention because they are entirely within the province of the chief executive of the department.

I have no role when it comes to the discipline of staff, unless sometimes as a courtesy, if there is a particularly heinous issue, it will be brought to my attention, but generally speaking routine disciplinary matters aren't brought to my attention.