HEALTH DEPARTMENT

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (14:55): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for State/Local Government Relations, representing the Minister for Health, questions about the Department of Health.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY: A recent article in The Advertiser outlined that the Chief Executive of the health department, Dr Tony Sherbon, met with representatives of the Public Service Association and indicated that the health department will be conducting a review of the department to identify possible job cuts and other efficiency savings. I understand that, instead of asking the staff of the health department, who, given their experience, would be in the best position to highlight possible deficiencies and suggest improvements, an external consultant, Ernst & Young, has been engaged to conduct a review of the department. My questions to the minister are:

1. What is the cost to contract the consultant for the review?

2. Why could not the review have been conducted in-house by the Chief Executive Officer or his delegates?

3. How long has the consultant been given to complete the review?

4. Will the minister provide an answer to these questions before the end of the review or, at the very least, within the next four weeks?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy) (14:56): I will refer the member's important question to the Minister for Health in another place and bring back a response.