Cardiology Services

Mr PICTON (Kaurna) (14:34): My question is to the Premier. If the Premier is saying that this is merely an operational issue for cardiology services at The QEH, is the Premier not aware that he had an election promise to deliver that?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: One moment, minister. The member for Badcoe, you can leave under 137A for the remainder of question time.

The honourable member for Badcoe having withdrawn from the chamber:

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, be quiet! The Minister for Energy, once the noise quietens down, will have the call.

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN (Stuart—Minister for Energy and Mining) (14:35): We take services at all the hospitals very importantly, from the largest all the way through to the smallest country hospital. The delivery of services in country hospitals and metropolitan hospitals is vitally important. I am advised that cardiology services at The QEH are available, and if I receive any further information to the contrary I will certainly let the house know.

But with regard to suggestions from the opposition in regard to CALHN, I noticed the Leader of the Opposition interjecting previously, saying, 'You have been here 18 months. Take some responsibility.' Things are improving in CALHN. In the last 18 months, things have been improving significantly.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Morphett is warned. The member for Lee is on two warnings.

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Things have been improving significantly over the last 18 months. But as the Minister for Health and Wellbeing has said regularly, this is a big job. We inherited a mess. This is a very big job.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Ramsay!

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Things have started to turn around. Things have improved.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Wright is warned. The member for Lee can leave for the remainder of question time under 137A.

An honourable member interjecting:

The SPEAKER: It may have been, but still out of order. Thank you, member for Lee. When he leaves, the minister will have the call.

The honourable member for Lee having withdrawn from the chamber:

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Yes, things are improving, very significantly improving, but we have a long way to go. The Premier has said this and the Minister for Health and Wellbeing has said this. We are not satisfied with the improvements we have made so far and we will keep working at it and we will keep improving health services across the state, whether it be in CALHN or whether it be in regional South Australia.

An honourable member interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Surely not the member for Torrens was interjecting there.