Question Time

SA Health, ICAC Report

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (14:21): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Health and Wellbeing regarding health.

Leave granted.

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE: Earlier today, a report by the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption, the Hon. Bruce Lander QC, entitled Troubling Ambiguity: Governance in SA Health, was tabled in the parliament. ICAC and its Office for Public Integrity have recorded more than 1,000 complaints about SA Health, which accounts for 20 per cent of the total complaints. The ICAC commissioner has previously sought $2 million to conduct a full-scale investigation into SA Health, which the government has refused to provide. My questions to the minister are:

1. Now that the report has been tabled, will the minister now provide funding to the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption, the Hon. Bruce Lander, to conduct a full evaluation into SA Health as per his request, which was originally denied by the government?

2. Does the minister agree with the Hon. Bruce Lander that, without additional resources, he is unable to conduct a widespread, comprehensive investigation into SA Health without unduly interfering with other functions?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:22): I thank the honourable member for her question. I think the quality of the report received by Commissioner Lander highlights the point that the government has been making right along, which is that the ICAC commissioner has a standing budget. I understand that it is more than $15 million. Those resources are available to the ICAC commissioner to undertake investigations and evaluations. It is up to him as to how he prioritises his work. I welcome the fact that he has taken time to provide an overview of his insights in relation to SA Health. I believe it will be very useful in the ongoing reform of the portfolio.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Ms Bourke, a supplementary.