Women's and Children's Hospital

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:16): My question is to the Premier. Why is the government building a new Women's and Children's Hospital with seven fewer obstetric beds than the current hospital? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr MALINAUSKAS: On 891 radio yesterday, obstetrician Professor John Svigos said that in the new Women's and Children's Hospital obstetric beds have been reduced from 63 to 56 before going on to say, and I quote:

…this is in the face of an increasing birth rate that has been occurring at the hospital...which we can barely cope with.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:17): I thank the cherrypicker-in-chief for his question. I know he planned all these questions and had them written out for him earlier in the day, but I answered that question with my previous answer, and I refer the Leader of the Opposition to my previous answer.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, the Premier! The member for King has the call.