Women's and Children's Hospital

Mr PICTON (Kaurna) (14:22): My question is to the Premier. Upon receiving the letter from 215 doctors at the Women's and Children's Hospital, what immediate steps did the Premier take to address the grave concerns that the hospital services are on the brink of collapse?

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education) (14:22): I thank the member for the question.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: As the minister responsible for the Minister for Health in this house, it is reasonable that I take this opportunity to provide some response. The Premier has outlined a number of the steps already. On 28 January, the Minister for Health met with representatives from the medical staff society, SASMOA, the CEO and the board chair of the Women's and Children's Health Network to discuss the matter. The focus of the discussion was the new Women's and Children's Hospital, and the importance of effectively engaging clinicians—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: —in the delivery of a world-class hospital. The meeting also considered a number of existing service challenges and opportunities. They were significant when we came to government. We have, as the Premier has outlined, reinvested in health, and we have reinvested in the Women's and Children Health Network. We have capital money on the table and, indeed, compared to Labor's last year in office, when there was a 1.4 per cent reduction in the Women's and Children's Hospital expenditure, that expenditure has indeed increased in the first two years—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Minister for Transport is called to order.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: —of the Liberal government. I am asked by somebody in the room who was the—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Morphett! What is it about that seat?

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: —health minister who presided over that cut to the Women's and Children's Health Network? It was the Leader of the Opposition: j'accuse! J'accuse! It was the Leader of the Opposition. Frankly, we will work with clinicians respectfully. We will take their points of view seriously. We will work with them to deliver better outcomes—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: —for clinicians, but, most importantly, better outcomes for the people of South Australia, the women, children and families who use that hospital.

The SPEAKER: I call to order the Minister for Education for being over excited. Member for Kaurna.