Wade, The Hon. S.G.

Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. N.J. Centofanti:

That this council—

1. Notes the recent retirement of the Hon. Stephen Wade MLC after 16 years of service to the people and Parliament of South Australia;

2. Recognises his leadership as Minister for Health and Wellbeing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic; and

3. Wishes him well in his retirement from parliament and the years ahead.

(Continued from 18 May 2023.)

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (17:09): I rise to support this motion to note the retirement of the Hon. Stephen Wade MLC, as he then was, and his 16 years of service to the people and the Parliament of South Australia, recognising his leadership as Minister for Health and Wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic in particular.

As members in this place would be aware, I was elected to parliament back in 2006, the same year that Stephen actually entered this chamber. In his case it was a casual vacancy caused by the resignation of Angus Redford. From the time he commenced his parliamentary career and through my personal dealings with him from early on as we both became accustomed to this place, it was evident to me that Stephen was an incredibly diligent and dedicated member and that he was destined to become a key player within the Liberal parliamentary team.

It was therefore no surprise to me when Stephen was swiftly elevated to the position of shadow minister less than a year later. From 2007 to 2018, he was responsible at some time over that period for no less than 19 different portfolios, some of which, but certainly not all, included the Attorney-General's portfolio, families and communities, child protection, police, emergency services, correctional services, water security, youth, arts, ageing, suicide prevention, local government and, most notably, his time as minister for health and wellbeing.

When the Marshall Liberal government was elected in 2018, it was then that Stephen really proved what an invaluable member of the team he was. We could never have predicted what we would all be facing two years later, with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, and Stephen, being at the forefront of critical decision-making as minister for health and wellbeing, rose up to every unprecedented challenge our state faced with confidence, astuteness and competence.

Health and wellbeing was undeniably already one of the most demanding portfolios, but managing the COVID-19 pandemic would have been something no minister could have prepared for or expected. Stephen's performance was exemplary as he navigated us through the pandemic, for which all South Australians are, no doubt, grateful. As the Hon. Nicola Centofanti expressed in her contribution to this motion, Stephen has always had a reputation for being a humble, steady, hardworking minister, and he certainly demonstrated this in 2020 and beyond, earning our utmost respect.

Although Stephen should be proud of his legacy in this place for his accomplishments as health and wellbeing minister, I have no doubt he will continue to make a significant contribution to our state in whatever capacity he chooses. I certainly wish him all the very best in the next phase of his career as he will certainly bring a wealth of experience and expertise to any position. I am sure he will have more time to spend with Tracey, which no doubt he will enjoy greatly. I commend and support the motion.

The Hon. B.R. HOOD (17:11): I rise to add some brief comments to acknowledge the Hon. Stephen Wade, whose position I now have the privilege of filling following his retirement earlier this year. Whilst I did not have much of an opportunity to work with the Hon. Mr Wade, I am reliably informed that the honorific title fits him to a tee. It was clearly visible to me that he was a man who was diligent, thoughtful and very hardworking.

He was a champion of many things during his time as health minister in one of the most difficult and uncertain periods one could possibly face in that role. Whether it was in suicide prevention, his development of the nation-first Adult Safeguarding Unit, undoing the damage of Transforming Health, or his most iconic achievement in revitalising the Repat, Stephen Wade fought for all South Australians and especially sought to protect our most vulnerable.

I was most impressed by his down-to-earth style as health minister, where he would take it upon himself to do what many other ministers would delegate to their staff or see as beneath their pay grade. Of course, his many achievements and positive contributions to South Australia extend much further back than his final years in this place as a minister of the Crown, and are likely to continue into the future beyond his time in the Legislative Council. I congratulate the Hon. Stephen Wade on his long and fruitful political career and extend to him my best wishes as he pursues his other interests.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. I.K. Hunter.