SA Pathology

Mr PICTON (Kaurna) (14:36): My question is to the minister representing the Minister for Health. Why did the government breach its commitment to consult with staff about the future of SA Pathology? With your leave, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr PICTON: On the ABC on 8 August 2017, the now Minister for Health said, and I quote, 'We'll have a totally different approach to reform and we'll be engaging our staff.'

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, members on my right!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, members on my right and left! I would expect quite a broad answer given the background or facts introduced into that question. The minister has the call.

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN (Stuart—Minister for Energy and Mining) (14:37): Apart from the fact that that question violates standing order 97 and includes argument, there is a very obvious answer.

The SPEAKER: No, I think there was leave of the house, minister. Please continue the answer, though.

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: There is a very obvious answer to that question, which I have to say has been provided here, I think, on about half a dozen different occasions. We will consult with SA Pathology. We will consult. The very last question that the member opposite asked me included in the answer that we are going to investigate, we are going to look at the pros and cons, we are going to see where it may be sensible, where it may not be sensible. We are going to investigate, and we are going to consult with everybody the Minister for Health considers it appropriate to consult with, and I would be amazed if the Minister for Health did not include SA Pathology in that list of people.