Ambulance Ramping

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (14:32): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Health and Wellbeing regarding health.

Leave granted.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: About an hour ago, Lynsey addressed a crowd gathered on the steps of Parliament House to present a petition signed by 44,000 South Australians—

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: Forty-four thousand—calling for an end to ramping. Lynsey said, and I quote:

I have watched my friends' shoulders slump with the weight of expectation and responsibility to do 'just one more job'. To go without yet another break. I am no longer proud. I am saddened. I am embarrassed. I am ashamed. And I am utterly exhausted.

My question to the minister is: what does the minister say to Lynsey, a paramedic for more than 16 years who has attended Parliament House today, who also says that she has seen, and I quote, 'not one shred of empathy from this Liberal government'?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:33): As I said in my earlier remarks, I have no doubt that paramedics and ambulance officers in this state are working under significant stress. There is significant demand right across Australia and certainly here in South Australia. The delays are a major concern for the government and that's why we have invested more than $123 million in terms of our COVID-ready response. That is why we are recruiting 74 ambulance officers as a result of the last state budget, and ambulance officers such as Lynsey and ambulance officers around the state, I assure you that this government is continuing tirelessly to look at strategies and implementing strategies to bring down transfer of care delays.