House of Assembly Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1) 54 1 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Question Time SA Pathology SA Pathology Mr PICTON House of Assembly Kaurna SA Pathology Mr PICTON (Kaurna) (15:42): Given the minister's comments, I seek leave to table the quote from the minister. The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: I have been informed that members of the opposition are not able to independently—only ministers can table documents, but I will have a look at it for you, member for Kaurna. Mr PICTON House of Assembly Mr PICTON: I will send it to you. My question is again to the minister representing the Minister for Health. Does the minister stand by his comments that a private pathology company would not be able to provide the same level of service? With your leave and that of the house, I will explain. Leave granted. Mr PICTON House of Assembly Mr PICTON: The minister previously said on 4 February 2015: Therefore, if the government wants to privatise regional areas to a metropolitan standard, then we will go backwards. Generally I am a strong supporter of private industry, but I do not expect that a private pathology company would provide the same level of service in Port Augusta as SA Pathology currently does. Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Order, members on my left! Minister. The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN House of Assembly Stuart Minister for Energy and Mining The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN (Stuart—Minister for Energy and Mining) (15:43): Now that I have heard the quote, let me say I stand by that, absolutely. Absolutely I stand by that. Let me be very clear: that is exactly consistent with what we announced yesterday. We will consider the options—and not only in Port Augusta. If private services can't provide the same and appropriate service, then all of that will be considered. We have not said that we are going to do what the previous government said that it was going to do. We have said that we would look at where it would be in the best interests of those who receive the service. That quote—I stand by that quote, no problem at all.