SA Pathology

Mr PICTON (Kaurna) (15:40): My question is to the minister representing the Minister for Health. Does the minister stand by his own comments that privatising SA Pathology is 'a very poor move'?

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN (Stuart—Minister for Energy and Mining) (15:40): I guess I would like to see the quote and find out exactly where it's from, but let me give some context.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Let me give some context to some comments that I have made in the past. That was very clearly with regard to the previous government's intention—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: No, hang on.

The SPEAKER: Order, members on my left!

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Just hang on.

The SPEAKER: The members on my left will cease interjecting.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: No, just wait.

The SPEAKER: Minister, please be seated. When members on my left have finished, I will ask the minister to resume. Minister.

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: —to privatise SA Pathology. At that time, I was approached by people in Port Augusta who worked in SA Pathology and explained to me the pros and the cons of doing that. That's probably where the quote comes from. I would love to see it so I can give you a more specific answer.

Mr Picton: I'm happy to table it.

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Let me also tell you that what we have announced in our budget this week is to investigate the possibilities—so, look at where the service is right, look at where the service is not right, look at where service could be provided better to people in other ways and to consider those options. That is exactly what we have offered and that's exactly what we will do.