Question Time

COVID-19 Quarantine Facilities

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:26): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Health and Wellbeing regarding COVID facilities.

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: When questioned about advice surrounding purpose-built quarantine facilities in this place on 27 May, the minister said, 'I have not sought any such advice.' The Chief Executive of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet spoke yesterday about purpose-built quarantine facilities, and he said, 'I haven't been aware of any new conversations around a new facility'. The Chief Executive of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet further described quarantine facilities as 'a responsibility for Health'.

This comes after the Victorian government signed a memorandum of understanding with the commonwealth for purpose-built facilities. It also comes after the Prime Minister announced criteria for federal funding for purpose-built facilities, and all of this comes after calls from WA, Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales to develop purpose-built facilities. My question to the minister is: why isn't the minister even discussing the possibility of purpose-built quarantine facilities when the commonwealth and other states and territories are doing exactly that?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:27): The Marshall Liberal government has been extremely innovative in ensuring that our quarantine facilities are fit for purpose. I think it's important to stress that our medi-hotels are only one part of our quarantine network. In particular, I would highlight to honourable members the success of the Paringa facility, which has helped provide seasonal workers who have supported particularly our industries in the Riverland. Also, the government is actively pursuing Parafield Airport as a potential site for international students and, as I said, we are continuing to use medi-hotels.

I think it is important to appreciate the discussions that are going on between the commonwealth and Victoria. I am not a member of national cabinet, but my understanding is that the commonwealth offer is to make co-contributions to facilities where those facilities would increase the quarantine capacity—to be more specific, to increase the capacity to quarantine international travellers. My understanding is that Victoria is not talking about decommissioning medi-hotel facilities. My understanding is that Victoria is talking in the order of 500 beds in their facilities. Our medi-hotel network has 1½ thousand beds.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: You wait and see.

The PRESIDENT: Order, the Hon. Mr Hunter!

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: They will close down their hotels. Why aren't you on the front foot with this, Stephen?

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Hunter has the ability to ask a supplementary question and will be quiet.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. S.G. WADE: On this point, the Premier and the Hon. Ian Hunter are—

The Hon. I.K. Hunter interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. S.G. WADE: —not on the same page. The Premier has made it clear that we are not interested in increasing our international traveller quarantine. If the Hon. Ian Hunter wants us to invest in an additional facility to increase the capacity for international travellers then he should be clear about that.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. S.G. WADE: And Labor should say where they would put this facility—

The Hon. I.K. Hunter interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Hunter, order!

The Hon. S.G. WADE: —and how many more do they think we should take.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order, the Hon. Mr Hunter!

The Hon. S.G. WADE: I believe that this state—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order, on both sides!

The Hon. S.G. WADE: I believe that this state is carrying its weight on international—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. S.G. WADE: —traveller quarantine, and I and the Premier do not believe it should be expanded.

The PRESIDENT: Supplementary, the Leader of the Opposition.