Question Time

Australian Craniofacial Unit

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:20): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Health and Wellbeing a question about the Australian Craniofacial Unit.

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: I am certain the minister has seen the transcript of what his colleague in the other place, the Minister for Energy, said about the Australian Craniofacial Unit yesterday. The minister also took part in a radio interview this morning and would have heard the comments of Professor David David AC, the current South Australian of the Year, who described the Minister for Energy's contribution in parliament yesterday by saying, 'No, that's all totally wrong and absurd,' and then described the Minister for Energy as 'someone who doesn't know what he's talking about'. My questions are:

1. In particular, what parts of what the Minister for Energy said yesterday about the Australian Craniofacial Unit were wrong?

2. What advice had the Minister for Energy relied upon in making those comments, to the minister's knowledge?

3. Did the minister or anyone from the government tell Professor David David about the internal review that was being conducted?

4. Why was Professor David David not consulted over the course of the review?

5. Has the minister now read the review that he mentioned yesterday?

6. When did the minister last speak to Professor David David?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:21): There are a number of questions there. In relation to the comments of the honourable Minister for Energy, he has made statements to the house in clarification and they speak for themselves. In relation to my consultations with Professor David, I most recently spoke to him yesterday. I stress to the council that the briefings I have had in recent times and the independent review were—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Let the minister answer the question.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: —stimulated following a meeting with Professor David on 9 July where a number of issues were canvassed, so I sought a briefing and an independent review was initiated.