Legislative Council Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1) 54 1 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time Public Sector Health Appointments Public Sector Health Appointments The Hon. I.K. HUNTER Legislative Council Public Sector Health Appointments The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (14:51): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before directing questions to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing regarding health public sector appointments. Leave granted. The Hon. I.K. HUNTER Legislative Council The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: It was a Liberal election commitment, I understand, to create a stand-alone Chief Public Health Officer, separate from the Chief Medical Officer position. I understand also that Professor Paddy Phillips, the current holder of the combined position, said: It's not defined as to whether it should be combined or separate. Whilst that one position is an important position in a legislative sense, I don't think one person necessarily makes a difference. My first question to the minister is: when will the government deliver on its commitment to create a stand-alone Chief Public Health Officer; has Professor Phillips been informed he will be losing the combined position; and when will the new person start the role? My second question relates to a question already directed to the minister earlier today. Has the minister now received any further or better advice that he can provide the chamber—indeed, he is required to provide the chamber—on the KordaMentha appointments and whether they are a breach of public sector appointment policy? And if he has not, will he, as a matter of urgency, bring back to the chamber any further or better advice that he receives? The Hon. S.G. WADE Legislative Council Minister for Health and Wellbeing The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:52): I thank the honourable member for his two quite separate questions— The President Legislative Council The PRESIDENT: Yes, I was going to comment on that but the minister was on his feet. The minister can certainly answer the first one, if he so chooses. The Hon. S.G. WADE Legislative Council The Hon. S.G. WADE: In relation to the government's policy, the government policy remains that there will be a separate Chief Public Health Officer. The President Legislative Council The PRESIDENT: Would you like a supplementary?