KordaMentha

The Hon. F. PANGALLO (14:49): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Health and Wellbeing a question about SA Health consultants.

Leave granted.

The Hon. F. PANGALLO: It has been reported that KordaMentha—the consultants brought in to overhaul SA Health's biggest agency, the Central Adelaide Local Health Network, which includes the Royal Adelaide Hospital—has contracted a UK consultancy firm to assist to get CALHN back in the black. Under the contract, KordaMentha is flying in up to 10 British experts from a UK-based management consultancy firm, 2020 Delivery, and relocating them to Adelaide for up to six months. According to KordaMentha, the new team will:

…focus on supporting front-line staff to reduce delays in patient care and the harm resulting from unnecessarily long stays in hospital.

My questions to the minister are:

1. Did KordaMentha need to seek the approval of the state government before contracting the UK consultancy firm?

2. Were you aware of the UK consultancy firm being engaged before it was reported in the media?

3. Why does KordaMentha need to fly in and relocate UK workers for up to six months, at great expense to South Australian taxpayers and at the expense of Australian firms with similar experience?

4. What is the expected cost of this exercise?

5. Do you think South Australian taxpayers' money could be better spent than flying in and accommodating UK professionals for up to six months?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:51): The first point I would make is that my understanding is that those arrangements were made by KordaMentha within their contract with government. The questions the honourable member raises are detailed and I will take them on notice and provide an answer.