HOSPITAL PARKING

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (15:05): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, representing the Minister for Health and Ageing, questions regarding parking at hospitals.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY: I have recently been contacted by a number of constituents who have raised issues regarding hospital car parking, particularly around the Women's and Children's and Calvary hospitals. My constituents are worried that staff safety is being compromised as there is no parking available nearby resulting in staff having to walk some distance to get their vehicle, often alone and at night. Further to this, patient safety has been compromised because some staff are parking in time-limited spots and they repeatedly leave work in order to purchase another ticket or move their vehicle.

My constituents are particularly concerned about parents who either have to wait in line to enter the car park or leave their children unattended at the hospital while they go and find a park. There is a real concern that a child could be seriously hurt or even worse. My questions to the minister are:

1. What measures if any has the government taken to improve the parking situation around hospitals?

2. Has the government considered issuing parking permits to staff for on-street parking?

3. Can the government provide an assurance that this problem will not continue to be a problem in the future on days when the Adelaide Oval is being utilised for games and matches?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (15:07): I thank the honourable member for the very important questions about these very important matters. I understand, from memory—and I could be wrong—that the Minister for Health and Ageing in the other place said that his department is in negotiation currently with the city council about parking permits for nursing staff, of course applying to the Women's and Children's Hospital in the first instance. I do not think he has responsibility for Calvary Hospital, but I see no reason why a similar situation would not apply to private hospitals as well.

In terms of improving parking for staff, patients and visitors to the hospitals, this government of course has a vision for South Australia. We build South Australia and we are building a stronger South Australia now. It was this government who recognised that the future of the Women's and Children's Hospital would be better placed in the new health and science precinct that we are building on North Terrace at the western end, and it is this government and this Minister for Health and Ageing who recognise that the Women's and Children's Hospital will prosper closer to the new Royal Adelaide Hospital and the new science centre.

It is this Labor government that plans for the future, it is this Labor government that builds South Australia and builds a stronger state for our people, and it is this Labor government that will continue to do so long into the future.