SA Pathology

Mr PICTON (Kaurna) (14:45): My question is to the minister representing the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. Will there be any additional pathology tests now sent interstate following the SA Pathology cuts?

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN (Stuart—Minister for Energy and Mining) (14:45): When the member opposite says 'any additional tests', he might be trying to be fairly tricky with that question. The Minister for Health and Wellbeing—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Light can leave for half an hour under 137A.

The honourable member for Light having withdrawn from the chamber:

The Hon. J.A.W. Gardner interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Minister for Education will be joining him shortly, I am sure. The minister has the call.

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: The Minister for Wellbeing has made it very clear that, for now, it is business as usual. He wants to give SA Pathology clear air to get on with the work and get on with what they are doing while other recommendations are considered. He has said that there is no change he intends to implement within the next 12 to 18 months. Let me just be very clear, though: there might well be ongoing operational changes within any agency that the minister, myself or anyone here in this chamber might not be aware of.

The member opposite needs to be pretty clear that he is specifically asking about changes directed by the Minister for Health. Will the Minister for Health be directing SA Pathology to be sending interstate additional work? I don't think so, but I will check it in terms of will he be directing them to do it. They have been given clear air to get on with their business and, as I said before, we want SA Pathology to continue to be outstanding, to continue to be improving and to have every opportunity to do whatever is necessary so that it actually has no fear of improvements and embraces improvements and efficiencies.