Hospital Ward Closures

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (14:34): Is the minister's attitude that beds and wards can be closed across the health system without the health minister being involved in any of the action?

The PRESIDENT: I will allow that supplementary. Minister.

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:34): As I've said, I expect managers to manage. On a day-to-day basis, they will flex up and they will flex down. I would be very concerned about the competence of a manager that couldn't make decisions, that expected the minister's office to run their network for them.