SA Ambulance Service

Mr PICTON (Kaurna) (14:57): My question is to the Premier. Does the Premier agree with his health minister who said earlier this year that the process of reform of the Ambulance Service had been stalled by the industrial tactics of the Ambulance Employees Association? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr PICTON: Earlier this year, the health minister, Stephen Wade, said to the media it was a 'bit rich' for the unions to blame the state government, claiming 'industrial awards' were 'holding back' reform. He said:

We're very keen to sit down with the AEA to talk to them about reformed resources for the ambulance service so it can meet the challenges of the future...The whole process has been stalled by their industrial tactics.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:58): I am not aware of the comments that the member for Kaurna has just provided, nor was I a party to that specific negotiation. What I do know is that the outcome was a good outcome for South Australia, with additional resources being committed.

Often these enterprise bargaining agreements do take some time, but I'm very pleased that it was a respectful negotiation and that we have been able to provide in our most recent budget a very significant increase in the number of full-time equivalents.

As I said earlier, the amount of money going to the South Australian Ambulance Service now is at a record. It's 31 per cent higher than when we came into government and, of course, there are more resources on their way.

The SPEAKER: I'm going to turn to the member for Davenport, who has been patiently waiting.