Question Time

McGowan, Dr C.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (14:24): 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. C.M. SCRIVEN: Yesterday, during question time, the minister quoted from an answer to a question that his Chief Executive of SA Health, Dr McGowan, took on notice during a Budget and Finance Committee meeting. Later during question time, the minister was asked how he had a copy of that correspondence prior to the answers being formally received by the Budget and Finance Committee. The minister responded:

My understanding is that SA Health has provided the responses to the Budget and Finance Committee.

My questions to the minister are:

1. Can the minister explain why the minister has copies of those answers prior to them being formally received by the Budget and Finance Committee?

2. How were those answers transmitted or provided to the minister or his office?

3. Is it common practice for the minister's agencies to provide copies of answers to committee questions to him or his office prior to those questions being formally received by a parliamentary committee?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:25): I thank the honourable member for her question. I would have thought that this parliament would be gobsmacked if departmental officers didn't keep their minister informed about accountability to the parliament. I will certainly discuss this with my office, but my recollection was that a courtesy copy of the answers was provided to my chief of staff; but I will take that on notice.