Repatriation General Hospital

Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (14:31): Again to the Minister for Health: when was the minister first made aware that the RSL consortia deal was at risk of falling over?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (14:31): We were formally advised that RSL LifeCare would not be in a position to proceed with the purchase of the site on the Monday before the announcement. Of course we had warnings beforehand, both formally and informally, that they may not be in the position to pursue or continue with the purchase of the site, and we made preparations accordingly. We spoke to the next-best tenderer, ACH Group, who as I said were very close. There was very little between the RSL submission and the ACH.

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: I am a bit disappointed to hear the Leader of the Opposition criticising ACH. They are an excellent and highly reputable provider of aged-care and community services in this state. They have an excellent reputation nationally and internationally for the work they do. It is very disappointing to hear the whinger-in-chief criticising such an excellent organisation as ACH, but—

The SPEAKER: The Minister for Health will not refer to another member as the 'whinger-in-chief'—

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: I apologise, Mr Speaker.

The SPEAKER: —because that might sound like debate.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Far be it. As I said, we had earlier formal and informal advice with regard to the ability of RSL LifeCare to continue with the purchase, and we made preparations accordingly. In terms of the actual formal withdrawal, that happened on the Monday prior to the announcement.