Hospital Beds

Mr PICTON (Kaurna) (14:49): My question is to the Premier. Was there any clinician at all who recommended to the government the closure of the 60 beds that your government closed last week?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:49): I am happy to make inquiries, but the point that I make here is that the flexing of beds is a procedure that has occurred in our hospitals in South Australia for a very long period of time. For those opposite to suggest that—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Playford is warned.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —the flexing of beds is something new is just completely and utterly—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for West Torrens, order! Leader.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —disingenuous and just shows you how they have absolutely no interest whatsoever in improving the health system in South Australia. The flexing of beds occurs every single year. It occurs in this jurisdiction and it occurs in other jurisdictions around the country. It occurs under this government and it occurred under the previous government but, in addition to that flexing, we have been opening a massive number of beds in South Australia as they are needed.