Modbury Hospital

Mr GARDNER (Morialta) (14:18): My question is also to the Minister for Health. Why should the people of the north-east believe any promises your government makes given that prior to the last election the redeveloped Modbury Hospital emergency department was opened with 40 treatment and assessment bays, and as of today only 29 of the bays are operating, and the promised $46 million budget for upgrades at Modbury has been cut by $14 million to the $32 million identified and bragged about by the minister earlier?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: Point of order, sir: the member has no leave to make an explanation to insert facts and figures.

The SPEAKER: Is this the member's new seat?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: Yes, sir.

The SPEAKER: Splendid.

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: The question is out of order.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (14:19): We are very, very proud—

The SPEAKER: First, I had better rule on that point of order. I think the answer to the member for Wright is that the member for Morialta has cleverly woven all his comment, for which leave was not sought, into the main body of his question. It is a cunning plan.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: We are always happy in this house to compare the Labor Party's record on Modbury Hospital with the Liberal Party's record on Modbury Hospital. What did we see with the Liberal Party? Privatisation, nurses sacked—that is their vision for the Modbury Hospital. What has this party delivered? A revitalised emergency department and investment.

The SPEAKER: Point of order.

Ms CHAPMAN: This is clearly debate by the Minister for Health. He was specifically asked about relying on the government, given the events of 2013—

The SPEAKER: Yes, I have got the question, and my ruling is that the minister is not out of order. The reason the minister is not out of order is that the question was tendentious and rhetorical, and I will allow a minister to answer such a question in the spirit in which it was asked. Minister.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am very happy to have comparisons drawn between the commitment the Labor Party has had to Modbury Hospital as opposed to the Liberal Party. They just saw it as something to be cut, as an opportunity for a disastrous privatisation experiment, and what a disaster it was! I tell you what: if the Liberal Party wants to go into the next election debating Modbury Hospital, bring it on.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Wright is warned.

The Hon. J.M. Rankine interjecting:

The SPEAKER: You were called to order during the pre-luncheon session. As a reward for that misbehaviour, the member for Wright has the next question.