Legislative Council Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1) 54 1 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Answers to Questions SA Health SA Health The Hon. K.J. MAHER Legislative Council Leader of the Opposition SA Health 4 The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (16 May 2018). 1.	What open application and assessment process occurred prior to the hiring of the new SA Health chief executive officer? 2.	Did the minister have any discussions with Mr Chris McGowan about hiring him as the new chief executive of SA Health before the state election? 3.	Did the minister have any discussions with the Premier about hiring Mr Chris McGowan as the new chief executive of SA Health before the state election? 4.	Did the minister have any discussions with any public servants about hiring Mr Chris McGowan as the new chief executive of SA Health before the state election? 5.	Did the minister have any discussions with anyone at all about hiring Mr Chris McGowan as the new chief executive of SA Health before the state election? 6.	Has the minister or the Premier given requests to SA Health about the hiring or dismissal of any employees except for the chief executive? The Hon. S.G. WADE Legislative Council Minister for Health and Wellbeing SA Health The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing): 1.	Dr McGowan was one of several candidates interviewed for the position in a process that has been used by previous governments for such an appointment. He was recommended based on his skills and extensive experience in the health sector. 2.	The government was not in a position to offer anyone the position until after it was sworn in on 22 March 3.	I am not accountable to the house for any private discussions I may have had with any of my parliamentary colleagues prior to the swearing in of the government on 22 March. 4.	I am not accountable to the house for any private discussions I may have had with any public servants prior to the swearing in of the government on 22 March. 5.	I am not accountable to the house for any private discussions I may have had with any person prior to being sworn in as minister on 22 March 6.	Neither the Premier nor I have given any requests to SA Health about the hiring or dismissal of any employee by SA Health except for discussions focused on the staffing of, and support for, my ministerial office.