Women's Hospital

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:08): Can the minister explain why there has been such a massive blowout in the cost per bed from the commitment that he took to the last election compared to the announcement made yesterday?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (14:08): When we were re-elected, we had a very good look in detailed planning into a new women's and children's hospital co-located with the new Royal Adelaide Hospital, and there is no doubt that that obviously was our preferred option. When we had a good look at the site, though, while from an engineering perspective, yes, it would be possible, it would have left no capacity in the budget for the other investments we have made as part of this budget. It would not have allowed us to invest $250 million in The Queen Elizabeth Hospital. It would not have allowed us to invest $50 million in the expansion of the Lyell McEwin Hospital.

We are yet to hear from the opposition any commitment to the infrastructure spend—any commitment, any interest whatsoever—because, when it comes down to it, what are the opposition really interested in? GoPros on bike helmets. That's all they care about. On this side of the house, we are interested in and we stand by our massive investment into our public hospitals. You can deride it all you want. The old hospital hater—it's always bubbling beneath the surface. The old hospital hater, that deep, deep instinct that runs so deep in the Liberal Party in South Australia, but on this side of the house we are committed to our investments in public health and the public hospitals and we stand by them.

Members interjecting:

Mr Marshall: Supplementary, sir.

The SPEAKER: Before we get to the supplementary, I call to order the members for Davenport, Mount Gambier, Morialta, Chaffey and Stuart. I warn the members for Chaffey, Morialta and the deputy leader, and I warn for the second and final time the members for Chaffey and Morialta. Leader.