Question Time

McGowan, Dr C.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (14:19): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Health and Wellbeing regarding SA Health staff.

Leave granted.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: Yesterday, during question time, the minister was asked whether his chief executive, Dr McGowan, relinquished his responsibilities regarding any commissioning of private, out-of-hospital programs, given his previous role as chief executive of private provider Silver Chain. The minister was also asked whether Dr McGowan immediately relinquished any and all roles at Silver Chain upon taking up his role as Chief Executive of SA Health last May. The minister responded, and I quote, 'It is certainly my understanding that he did but I will take that on notice.'

An article in InDaily has revealed that Dr McGowan was still listed as the director of Silver Chain during the first two months of his public appointment. My questions to the minister are: will the minister now apologise for misleading the chamber, take the opportunity to correct the record and consider his position as minister?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:20): I thank the honourable member for her question. The Department for Health and Wellbeing has issued a statement this morning, and I quote from it:

An administrative error by Silver Chain led to a delay in changing officeholder details on a non-operational, dormant subsidiary company of Silver Chain. As soon as Silver Chain identified the administrative error, the directorship details were updated.