Modbury Hospital Cardiology Services

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:35): Supplementary question: what is the problem for the minister to answer two simple questions? A yes and a no for either one of those two would be very simple. You don't have to be cautious with the opposition—we are not scaremongering—we want a yes or no.

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse) (14:35): I am more than happy to seek some advice in regard to what services were offered a number of years ago at Modbury. What I am focused on is completing the government's review in regard to the services currently provided at Modbury Hospital with a view of how we can improve them into the future. That's our objective because what we want to do is deliver what residents in the north-eastern suburbs want. What they want is a high-quality health service throughout the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network. That's what we are delivering.

We have already committed to a number of investments, both at the Lyell McEwin and the Modbury Hospital, which will stand residents in the northern and north-eastern suburbs in good stead regarding health care into the future. We are never going to be a government that rests on our laurels when it comes to the provision of public health care. It's in our DNA to make sure that all South Australians, regardless of whether or not they have private health insurance, regardless of their own socio-economic status, regardless of their own incomes, get access to high-quality healthcare services.

We are committed to making sure that the investments that are required are delivered. Our state government has a strong record when it comes to investing in public health. I need not again go over all the examples of our substantial investments—we will say that in case we get some other silly questions—but that is what we are going to focus on delivering and we are going to get on with the job.