Royal Adelaide Hospital

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:20): My question is to the Minister for Health. Is the minister aware of any issues with the air conditioning ducts at the new Royal Adelaide Hospital that will further delay the handing over of the project? If he is aware, can he update the parliament? If he is not aware, can he perhaps advise the parliament how often he receives a briefing on issues associated with the new Royal Adelaide Hospital?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (14:21): I don't get briefed on every tiny issue in the building of the Royal Adelaide Hospital. The paint might peel, the floor tiles might lift; these are not issues which are regularly brought to my attention in that sort of detail. What I can say is that it's no secret that there have been issues at the new Royal Adelaide Hospital, the same as there are issues with every other new public hospital that is being built around Australia.

If I recall correctly, the Fiona Stanley was about a year late. I think the new Children's Hospital in Western Australia is very late. I think the new Children's Hospital in Melbourne likewise was significantly late. I have been saying since December 2014 that the hospital was likely to be late—December 2014. Since then, I have been saying that it is likely that the hospital will be late. I know the Leader of the Opposition is like Mr Potato Head. He has put his angry face on today. He's got the angry face, Mr Potato Head. 'I'll put on my angry face today,' he says, but—

Members interjecting:

Mr GARDNER: Standing order 98: the minister is debating and away from the substance of the question.

The SPEAKER: Well, not very far, but before the minister rises again I call to order the members for Kavel, Chaffey, Colton, Unley and Newland. I also call to order the member for Flinders and congratulate him on the 51 millimetres of rain at Mount Hope in the last 24 hours. I also warn the leader, deputy leader, and members for Unley, Morialta and Kavel, and I warn for the second and final time the leader. Minister.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Please keep talking about the new Royal Adelaide Hospital. I love talking about the new Royal Adelaide Hospital because it is going to be fantastic. It is going to lead the world in terms of modern care for South Australian patients. It is something all South Australians will be incredibly proud of. And, gee, the opposition leader, if he is still there, is going to look pretty silly come the next election when we're cutting the ribbon on the beautiful new hospital. When we have cut the ribbon on the new Royal Adelaide Hospital, isn't the Leader of the Opposition going to look pretty silly?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: I warn the member for Hartley, and I warn the member for Kavel for the second and final time. The member for Wright.