CORONIAL SYSTEM

The Hon. R.D. LAWSON (14:58): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Leader of the Government, representing the Attorney-General, a question on the subject of the South Australian coronial system.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.D. LAWSON: Listeners to ABC Radio 891 earlier this week would have heard the Reverend Andrew Dutney describe the dramatic effects of delays in the South Australian coronial system; in particular, delays in providing information to the relatives of deceased persons and the distress, inconvenience and hardship caused by the fact that in many cases autopsy results are not published until up to 12 months after death occurs. Information shows that in South Australia the backlog indicator is that some 25 per cent of cases are not finalised within nine months. In the past, the Attorney has claimed that the reason for the delay was the worldwide shortage of pathologists but has claimed that new appointments have been made, yet still the backlog is unacceptably high. My questions to the Attorney are:

1. Will the government appoint additional forensic pathologists to the staff of Forensic SA to ensure that South Australians do not have to wait for unacceptably long periods for the results of autopsies?

2. If the government will not appoint additional pathologists, will consideration be given to employing private pathologists to undertake autopsies on behalf of the state so as to reduce the backlog?

3. Does the Attorney-General agree that the current delays cause great hardship to the community and that action is warranted?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (15:01): I will refer that question to the Attorney-General and bring back a reply.