SA Pathology

Mr DULUK (Davenport) (14:15): Supplementary: minister, will the government release the data which it says supports its job cuts to SA Pathology?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (14:15): We have certainly released information to the various industrial parties that are involved with SA Pathology as we consult. I had the opportunity of meeting with Professionals Australia and with some of their members who work at SA Pathology in the last couple of days, and they put to me concerns that they had about what the proposals were. We had, I think, a meeting in good faith with regard to the issues that they raised, and I undertook that, before any decision was made, I would meet with them again. I also gave an undertaking to extend the consultation period to give Professionals Australia longer to participate in the consultation.

We have made a significant investment in new technology in SA Pathology at the new Royal Adelaide Hospital, and I don't think it's unreasonable that we should also make sure that we take full advantage of that new technology to provide efficiencies. I think the South Australian taxpayer would expect me, as health minister, to ensure that we run as efficient an operation as possible. But, having said that, the members of Professionals Australia I met with had concerns about the ambition of what had been put to them and the time lines as well, and I have some sympathy with their concerns.

We're going through the consultation processes at the moment. No decision has been made, and I have given an undertaking that before a final decision is made I will meet with them again. So that's where we are at. As I say, I have some sympathy having heard from the members of Professionals Australia who work at SA Pathology. I have some sympathy for the concerns they presented to me.