McGowan, Dr C.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:52): I would like to ask a question of the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. Will the minister explain why, after attending a Liberal Party fundraiser for the Premier, Dr McGowan was appointed as the highest paid chief executive of any government department within weeks after the Liberal Party formed government? How does the minister explain that it took just one month to hire Dr McGowan as SA Health chief executive but it took the Liberal government 4½ months to hire a new chief of the CFS?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:52): The first point I would make is that I don't appoint the chief executive of my department. He was appointed by the Premier. My understanding is that the Premier made that appointment after a selection process.