Question Time

Royal Adelaide Hospital

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:25): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Health—a member of this very secret government—a question in relation to access to information for the Auditor-General.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: The Auditor-General has advised the parliament that he is currently working on a supplementary report for the new Royal Adelaide Hospital public-private partnership, which is at this time the most expensive building in the world.

During a recent appearance at the public hearing of the parliament's Economic and Finance Committee, the Auditor-General indicated that he had been unable to complete his report because SA Health had not provided the requested documents and information in a timely fashion.

The Auditor-General went on to say that in an effort to resolve the problem he has written to the chief executive of the Department for Health and Ageing and directly asked for the information to be provided more promptly. My questions for the minister are:

1. Has the minister been briefed on the Auditor-General's concern that his department is not responding to requests for information within an appropriate time frame? If so, what has he done to assure this problem is immediately resolved?

2. Will the minister instruct the chief executive to respond to all outstanding information requests on this matter as a matter of priority so the Auditor-General can complete his NRAH report?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse) (14:26): What an anti-climax! To the best of my knowledge, I haven't received any particular briefing along the lines that the honourable member has asked. I am more than happy to familiarise myself with the concerns that he has referred to.

The Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins: Very quiet voice when you get these sorts of questions—

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS: I am more than willing to consult—

The Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins: When you don't know what you're talking about you go very quiet.

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS: Well, you just need to listen harder, the Hon. Mr Dawkins. I am more than happy to raise the questions that the honourable member has sought answers to. I will seek advice about it and bring back the information as soon as possible. Needless to say that, obviously, it is my expectation that information that is requested by the Auditor-General that can reasonably be provided is done so in as timely a manner as is reasonably possible. I do not need to pass on my expectations, though, to the chief executive of the department. I have every confidence in her knowing that already. Needless to say, of course, I will make some inquiries along the lines the Hon. Mr Ridgway has asked.