Queen Elizabeth Hospital

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:35): Can the minister advise whether he considers that the withdrawal of the respiratory ward at The QEH will be consistent with the Premier's commitment in June?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse) (14:35): Mr Wade wants to play cute political games with his questions. What we are doing is getting on with the business of ensuring that The QEH is of the standard that we expect, as a Labor government, for the communities that many of us represent—that in fact everyone in this place represents—in the western suburbs.

The QEH is a fine, outstanding institution. It is close to the heart of many people in the west, including myself. My grandmother was a volunteer in the Friends of The QEH for almost 30 years. She is a life member of that organisation. This is an institution that is close to many of us, which is why we are committed to its upgrade and ensuring that it provides safe, effective, productive, quality services to the people of the western suburbs.