Meningococcal B Strain Vaccination

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (14:36): Are we to understand that the minister has not had any orders placed for a vaccine supply in order to ensure that babies can be safe?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:36): Let's be very clear: the Labor Party did not have any orders in before the state election.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: The minister is answering the question; let him answer. Let him answer your questions.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Leader of the Opposition.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: How long have you been in government for? When are you going to start talking about what you're doing?

The PRESIDENT: Have you finished, the Hon. Mr Hunter? Minister.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: I'm actually surprised that the Labor Party is wandering into this territory because it was the member for Croydon in the other place who, before the election, committed to vaccinations for children and did not place the order before the election.

The Hon. C.M. Scriven: Have you placed it now?

The Hon. S.G. WADE: Yes. Let me go through this then. The advice that I was given was that the previous government's commitment was made without knowledge of availability of the vaccine. To me, that is irresponsible. After the member for Croydon made that commitment it was found that it was not possible, for 2018, to secure the supplies. When this issue was raised with the member for Croydon in the media he was asked, 'Who advised you that it was available?' and he said, 'Officers'. In spite of repeated questioning he wasn't willing to tell us who the officers were. I would even be willing to settle if he could tell us if they were SA Health officers, or were they officers of the state ALP?