Mount Barker District Soldiers Memorial Hospital

Mr GOLDSWORTHY (Kavel) (15:08): My question is to the Minister for Health. Given that the trial of doctors staffing Mount Barker hospital overnight is due to finish on 6 June, can the minister confirm whether this important hospital will now be staffed overnight on a permanent basis?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (15:08): I have to say that because of the lobbying of the member for Mayo, Rebekha Sharkie, and the enormous amount of hard work—I heard one day someone who lives in the Mount Barker area saying that, until the new member for Mayo got elected, they didn't know they had a member of parliament, but now they hear too much from her. They have had enough of her. They hear so much from her, it is almost too much. But I have to say that the federal member for Mayo has been incredibly energetic when it comes to making sure that the issue with Mount Barker hospital is brought to me.

Mr van Holst Pellekaan interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Stuart is warned.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Since the opposition have today started the precedent of ministers talking about correspondence they receive from members of parliament, I would love to talk about the correspondence I receive from the member for Kavel about Mount Barker hospital. The only problem is that there never was any—there never was any.

The member for Kavel never made any representations to me until this became an issue with the federal member for Mayo, then suddenly, well, the member for Kavel became very energetic when it comes to issues relating to the Mount Barker hospital. We will have more news to announce. I will be looking forward to standing next to the member for Mayo to make further announcements—

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis interjecting:

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: —about the Mount Barker hospital because I have to say, unlike the Liberal Party in this state, the federal member for Mayo does not and has never taken her seat for granted.

The SPEAKER: The Treasurer is warned for the second and final time.

Mr GOLDSWORTHY: Supplementary, Mr Speaker?

The SPEAKER: Supplementary, member for Kavel.