Kalimna Hostel Site

The Hon. S.L. GAME (14:54): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question to the Attorney-General, representing the Minister for Health and Wellbeing, on the topic of the Kalimna Hostel.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.L. GAME: In February 2017, the Labor government closed the Kalimna Hostel, a 24-bed residential aged-care facility located at 48-50 High Street, Strathalbyn. The following year, chartered accountants StewartBrown were engaged and prepared the 'Kalimna Options Paper', published by SA Health in December 2018. StewartBrown costed the refurbishment of Kalimna (1) as an aged-care facility; (2) as 12 independent living units; (3) as a community hub; and (4) as a car park, with the car park being the cheapest option. The consultants recommended retention of the heritage listed administrative building at 48 High Street but the demolition of the residential care facility at 50 High Street to make way for 35 to 45 car spaces.

In March 2019, the Marshall government announced a $12 million upgrade of the Strathalbyn and District Aged Care Facility and the reactivation of Kalimna as part of a new Strathalbyn aged-care precinct. My questions to the Attorney-General representing the minister are:

1. What are the government's plans for the Kalimna Hostel?

2. What are the plans to support aged care as a whole in the district of Strathalbyn?

3. Does the Labor government admit that closing Kalimna Hostel in the first place was a mistake that taxpayers must now pay to fix?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Attorney-General, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:56): I thank the honourable member for her questions and will refer them to the minister in another place and bring back a reply.