Coronavirus

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:21): Supplementary question: would it surprise the minister if casual nurses who have regularly received shifts are no longer being offered shifts in the public health system at this time?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:21): I have made it very clear that the health networks are continuing to engage casual staff. Of course, it's an evolving situation; our activity levels are changing dramatically. Not only are we withdrawing from non-urgent elective surgery, but we are getting much more involved in things like home nursing and nursing in terms of COVID-19 testing and assessment. There will be shifts of workforce over the months ahead, but I think that employment prospects over the next couple of months—sorry, not couple; I imagine it will be a number of months—will be much stronger for nurses and other health professionals than they are for many other members of our workforce.