McGowan, Dr C.

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (14:29): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Health and Wellbeing regarding Silver Chain.

Leave granted.

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE: Yesterday, the minister was asked a series of questions about his Chief Executive of SA Health, Dr Chris McGowan, attending Liberal fundraisers in the lead-up to the 2018 election. Today's Advertiser reports a statement from SA Health which says:

…'Dr McGowan responded correctly to the questions as he did not attend any State Liberal Party fundraisers in lead up to the 2018 State election.'

However, FOI documents received by the Labor Party show that on 23 September 2018 Silver Chain provided Dr McGowan with the dates, times and invitations of four Liberal fundraisers he had reportedly attended whilst CEO of Silver Chain, including a fundraiser with Malcolm Turnbull on 23 June 2017. My question to the minister is: does the minister agree with the chief executive that attending a fundraiser less than a year before a state election is not in the lead-up to the election? Have you now asked Dr Chris McGowan to correct the record and his attendance at Liberal fundraisers?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:31): My understanding is that the matter the honourable member refers to will be considered by the full independent review by the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment and I await the outcome of that review.