MedSTAR

Ms PRATT (Frome) (14:31): My question is to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. Has the minister been advised that MedSTAR pilots are frequently bypassing the Clare Hospital helipad, and what action will he take—

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order.

Ms PRATT: —to ensure patient safety during these—

The SPEAKER: Member for Frome, there is a point of order from the member for West Torrens.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: There's a statement of fact in that question, sir, and I would ask the member to rephrase it.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Point of order.

The SPEAKER: I will hear the member for Morialta on the point of order.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: There is some history on questions of this nature. If the question is in relation to whether the minister 'has received advice that', there tends to be more scope than if the question were to start with 'does' a certain something happen.

The SPEAKER: That may be, and I see the force of the point that is made by the member for Morialta, except I think it will be possible to recraft the question in a way that will meet the standing orders and I am going to give the member the opportunity.

Ms PRATT: Thank you, Mr Speaker, I will make that attempt. Is the minister aware that MedSTAR pilots are bypassing the Clare Hospital helipad? If so, what action will he take to ensure patient safety during these most critical times? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Ms PRATT: MedSTAR pilots are increasingly choosing to bypass the Clare Hospital helipad in preference to the Clare aerodrome, which is 15 kilometres away.

The SPEAKER: That question is defective in two parts: the first is that there is an opinion, an argument or a fact introduced in the question, and then there is an assertion about a fact after leave is sought. I am going to rule it out of order. I have given members more than enough opportunity to craft a question appropriately. However, I am going to remain with the opposition's side. Is there another question?