Australian Craniofacial Unit

Mr PICTON (Kaurna) (15:02): My question is to the Premier. Following his discussions with Professor David David, does he stand by his comments to this house that he has not been advised of concerns regarding disruptions to the unit and the lack of international humanitarian cases?

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Point of order: the member has actually just repeated the question from three questions ago.

The SPEAKER: Would the Premier like to answer the question?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (15:03): It's an interesting line of questioning that we are getting from the opposition—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —today, sir. What it really shows is that they have run out of questions because—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Premier, please do not provoke the opposition.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: We know they had run out of questions quite some time ago, but the member for West Torrens was back here yesterday. He asked a series of questions. He had lots of questions. Unfortunately, he's not asking any questions at the moment. In fact, the Leader of the Opposition—

Mr PICTON: Point of order.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —didn't get an opportunity to ask—

The SPEAKER: There is a point of order, Premier.

Mr PICTON: Point of order: this is debate and clearly disrespectful to the Craniofacial Unit.

The SPEAKER: Debate—98, debate. Premier, could you—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Members on my right will be quiet. Would the Premier like to please keep his answer to the substance of the question.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: Well, it's interesting, sir, because those opposite keep asking questions, detailed questions, about the Australian Craniofacial Unit—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! We are now talking about the association. This is relevant.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Members on my left, the Premier will be heard in silence.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: I'm getting people screaming at me. I have to be careful what I say in the parliament now. They have been screaming at me again.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, members on my left! The Premier will be heard in silence.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: Well, I've got my happy face on. Anyway, there has been no meeting with Professor David.

Mr Duluk interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Waite is warned.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: The Deputy Leader of the Opposition seems to—

Dr Close interjecting:

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: No. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition seems to have some information that I'm not aware of.

Dr Close interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The deputy leader will not interject.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: I can't remember meeting with Professor David. I've spoken with Professor David, and I made a commitment to find out some detail regarding the issues that he raised. They were genuine concerns—

Dr Close interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The deputy leader is called to order.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: They were detailed issues that he raised. He had very genuine concerns. I made it clear that I would seek a briefing from the department. I had given him some preliminary advice last Thursday that I had seen some advice from the department that said that a merit-based selection process had been undertaken. I had conveyed that to Professor David. I'm still making further inquiries, which I've also conveyed to Professor David.

The detailed questions being asked at the moment are questions that I am very happy to take on notice. In fact, I have made the offer to the member opposite to write down a list of every single question he can possibly dream up on this issue. We are happy to answer them. We have nothing to hide, nothing to hide whatsoever, but I don't know the answer because I'm not the health minister. Unlike what the deputy leader is asserting to the house, I haven't met with Professor David on this issue. The reality—

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: Well, changing position. The reality is that we will come back to the house, but the other reality is that they have run out of questions because, if they hadn't, they would move on to another topic—

The SPEAKER: Is the Premier finished?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —which would be of interest to the people of South Australia, rather than taking up the generous offer I have provided to those opposite to collate all the questions they have. There may be some others. I think the deputy leader wants to ask some questions as to whether or not there was an actual meeting or a telephone conversation. She's getting confused. I'm happy to answer all these questions. Just get them down to us, and we will provide them to you as quickly as we possibly can.

The SPEAKER: Thank you, Premier. The Leader of the Opposition.