Health Services

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:20): I have a supplementary arising from the answer. I thank the minister for not ruling out any privatisation of any—

The PRESIDENT: Don't put words into the minister's mouth. Ask a simple question.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: Will the minister specifically rule out privatising hospital services?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:20): I defer to my senior colleague who suggested to the house that now is not the time to rule out and rule in options leading up to the budget. I will continue to have fruitful discussions with the Treasurer, but I assure the—

The Hon. K.J. Maher interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Allow the minister to speak. He's responding to your question, Leader of the Opposition. He's responding to your question. Minister.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: I assure honourable members that we will be honouring our commitment to the people of South Australia before the election. We were upfront about it. You play games before elections and then break promises after. We were completely upfront that we will do what is best for the people of South Australia and health services.

It reminds me of a conversation I had earlier today with the chair of South Australia's largest non-government provider of aged-care services. I was talking to her about a service that the former Labor government contracted from them to provide public patients in the southern districts, so that when they are getting subacute care, all of their food and hotel services are provided by a non-government organisation. She and I agreed what good sense it made.

Now, suddenly, after 16 years of privatisation, whether it is the $2.4 billion NRAH project or whether it is this particular project in southern Adelaide, Labor, with gay abandon, engaged the private sector in a whole range of areas, but suddenly, in less than six weeks, it becomes anathema. These are the hypocrites who now occupy the opposition benches. What we will continue to do is to deliver the best possible services for the people of South Australia, particularly for their health outcomes.