Women's and Children's Hospital

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee) (14:26): Further supplementary question: is the Premier committed to the construction of the new Women's and Children's Hospital regardless of the final construction cost estimate?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:26): We are absolutely committed to the construction of a new co-located Women's and Children's Hospital.

Mr Brown: Blank cheque.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: We think that this will provide—

The SPEAKER: The member for Playford is warned for a second and final time.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —the future generations with a hospital that they deserve. There is nothing—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Leader of the Opposition is warned.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —in the cost estimates that we have received to date—they are preliminary—that would scare us into not proceeding with the commitment that we made in the lead-up to the election.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: The detailed planning needs to be done.

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis: You just told the house the opposite.

The SPEAKER: Member for West Torrens, I ask you to respectfully leave for half an hour under 137A. Thank you.

The honourable member for West Torrens having withdrawn from the chamber:

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: As you would appreciate, sir, there's a very big difference between a cost estimate, which might look at a range of different options, and a budget number. That's why, being the prudent government that we are, we are already provisioning, in those outer years, to start the work on the new Women's and Children's Hospital. When the final number has been provided, when the final configuration is arrived at, we will update the house.