SA Health

Mr PICTON (Kaurna) (14:51): My question is to the Premier. Premier, why did your Treasurer write to the ICAC commissioner on 18 September 2018 denying a $2 million request to investigate SA Health's alleged corruption and maladministration but then later agree to a $20 million contract with KordaMentha?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:52): I am more than happy to answer this question. It's quite clear to me that the opposition has been caught on the back foot. They thought that the unemployment figures would go in a different direction.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: They put all their questions out around that one and have been caught on the hop, so they are going back to yesterday, Tuesday, a month ago—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: It's embarrassing for the opposition. I don't know what they are doing up there in the dream factory—

Mr Duluk interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Waite is warned.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: We made it very clear yesterday that we provide the ICAC with a budget each year. We don't prioritise the work that they do. We have increased the budget to the ICAC. In fact, the forward estimates provides for a further increase in the budget to the ICAC. The most recent budget handed down had a provision for a $14 million increase in the budget for the ICAC. We believe that we provide adequate resources to the ICAC in South Australia, and we leave the prioritisation for the investigation up to the commissioner.

The SPEAKER: The member for Kaurna and then the member for Hammond.

The Hon. S.S. Marshall: Any more questions from yesterday that you would like to ask?

The SPEAKER: The Premier is called to order.