KordaMentha

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (15:03): With this year's contract stipulating that $13.9 million for 13½ KordaMentha staff, an average of over $1 million per person, will the minister advise whether these are the highest paid people working in any government in this country?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (15:04): I think it is quite misleading for the honourable member to phrase her question that way. The information that was provided to the committee made it clear that the contract price includes a range of inputs, including KordaMentha people who are not directly engaged in the team but, more importantly, independent industry experts. That is one point I would make.

The second point I would make is that the Central Adelaide Local Health Network, under the leadership of Lesley Dwyer and a very strong board, which is overseeing this project, have made sure that, unlike the $50 million that the former Labor government spent on four consultants I think over the last five years, we are going to make sure that we invest in our people. That is why in the KordaMentha team there are currently—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. S.G. WADE: —I understand, I think, 18 CALHN people posted to that team. So 18 CALHN people are developing their skills and will be able to take them forward. The former Labor government failed to manage the Central Adelaide Local Health Network. A major issue was a lack of investment in management skills in that network. The KordaMentha project, the turnaround plan, is being managed to make sure that we strengthen the network and not demoralise it like Labor did.