Paramedics

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:45): Final supplementary: is the minister able to indicate if these are effectively already baked into the budget and not an election commitment dependent upon the re-election of a Liberal government? Is the minister aware if these 51 extra paramedics are accounted for in last year's state budget, the Mid-Year Budget Review or in some other area out of contingencies or IR funding?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:45): I suspect that the honourable member is really going to matters of public finance that are better addressed to the Treasurer. My understanding, as I have already advised the house, is that this is a budgeted initiative by the Marshall Liberal government and is not subject to our re-election.