Question Time

Coronavirus, Travel

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:25): My question is to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing regarding the COVID travel exemption scandal. After it was revealed that 11 Victorian family members of AFL players were granted border exemptions, can the minister advise who particularly in SA Health signed off on this, and did the minister or his office receive any notification, advice or briefing about these particular exemptions before they were raised in the media yesterday?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:26): I thank the honourable member for his question. An officer of the Department for Health and Wellbeing made an error of judgement in granting exemptions under the Emergency Management (Cross Border Travel No. 13) (COVID-19) Direction 2020 for family members of Port Power AFL players. The exemption should not have been granted.

However, I want people to appreciate that the officer who made this decision is a member of a team that has been working long hours in a stressful environment for more than six months. Their dedication is unquestionable, and their service has been key to protecting the people of South Australia from COVID-19.

In any human process administrative errors and errors of judgement will be made. The COVID-19 team operates with a commitment to excellence and continuous improvement. They work to minimise errors, correcting them when identified and learning from them so that our response will be even stronger in the future.

In this case, an error has been made. The response of the leader of the public health team, Professor Spurrier, and the response of the Premier has been unequivocal. It is disappointing that an error has been made. A review will help avoid errors in the future, but the government backs and appreciates our team.