Coronavirus

Mr PICTON (Kaurna) (14:18): My question is to the Premier. How many times has the Premier chaired the Emergency Management Council of cabinet to consider the state's planning for a coronavirus pandemic?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:18): I don't talk about how many cabinet committees I chair, but the Emergency Management Council is well prepared for all the likely eventualities in South Australia, but they are not the only people who are responsible for doing that work. As I outlined to the house previously, we have a good working relationship across the entire Senior Management Council, making sure that we are doing everything that we can possibly do to be prepared. We are looking at different scenarios. Some of them are unlikely but, nevertheless, we need to take the action to be as prepared as we possibly can be.

That's one of the reasons why the Chief Public Health Officer, looking at some potential scenarios, suggested some amendments to the legislation in the parliament that covers her powers. We were happy to progress those, and we are very pleased that the opposition has indicated their support to progress those matters.

We understand that this is unorthodox. We understand that the parliament usually takes considerably more time to consider some of these amendments to legislation, and that is why we are very pleased that we have had an indication from the opposition and from the crossbench that they will consider those matters. If that progresses this week that would be absolutely superb and I think that it would show and demonstrate to the people of South Australia that all people in this place are concerned about the potential for the coronavirus in South Australia and that we as a parliament are prepared to take all actions necessary to ensure that we keep the people of South Australia safe.