Question Time

Economic Stimulus Package

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:18): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Health and Wellbeing regarding public health.

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: On 11 March, the Premier released a statement, and I quote:

In this economic stimulus package, we are immediately investing $350 million on a range of measures—from major road and hospital upgrades to significant tourism infrastructure.

The statement went on to say, and I quote:

…with construction to begin in coming weeks.

It is now more than 1½ months since this announcement, and the statement ended with:

This is all about securing jobs and keeping local businesses' doors open.

It said that works would start within 'a short period of time' as one of the major criteria. My questions to the minister are:

1. In terms of the hospital infrastructure and upgrades, how many contracts have been signed? What is the total contracted value of this work?

2. What actual construction has commenced for hospitals or hospital upgrades?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:19): In relation to the stimulus package, the particular focus in the health portfolio was in relation to bringing forward country capital works. I will certainly take on notice the particular projects and the total project costs, but I would be at pains to say to the house that, whilst the economic stimulus package is welcome, it is only one part of the government's spending on capital works in the health system. Perhaps the three most stark examples are the work that's being done to ready the state hospital system for COVID-19, with capital works at the ECH College Grove, at the former Calvary Wakefield Hospital and also at the Repatriation General Hospital.

As well as that, the government is well aware that the work we have done to bring forward capital works outside the stimulus package will also serve as a stimulus to the economy. For example, we have brought forward the southern hospital expansion program such that the emergency department at Flinders Medical Centre can be expanded more rapidly. Likewise, work on capital works at the Modbury Hospital is being brought forward.

Certainly, my understanding is that a number of the projects under the stimulus package were shovel ready because the Treasurer made it very clear that he wasn't interested in our forward estimates, he was interested in our spending now and immediately for the sake of stimulating the state. SA Health and the Department for Health and Wellbeing are proud to be playing a part not just in the health response to the global pandemic but also the economic recovery after it.