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 28 June 2023.)

The Hon. J.S. LEE (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (22:53): I thank the Hon. Nicola Centofanti for moving this motion, and I join many members in acknowledging the distinguished service and outstanding contributions made by our former Liberal colleague the Hon. Stephen Wade, to this parliament to the people of South Australia and also in serving the Liberal Party of South Australia.

The Hon. Stephen Wade began his long and illustrious career in this Legislative Council in May 2006 through a casual vacancy. Stephen's prior knowledge and experience in the health and wellbeing sector enabled him to serve in the shadow ministry in portfolios including disability services, housing, families and communities, social inclusion, justice, health, mental health and substance abuse, ageing and suicide prevention. From 2018 he utilised his extensive knowledge, experience and advocacy gained in the shadow ministry, as well as his time spent as a parliamentary adviser to former Minister for Health Dr Michael Armitage, to undertake the important role of Minister for Health and Wellbeing in the Marshall Liberal government.

Stephen was well respected as a hardworking minister and his incredible work ethic was matched by his humility and approachability and gentle nature, which earned him the massive respect he maintains throughout the health system and in our community. I have many friends who work in the health sector. They all expressed their gratitude towards Stephen Wade as they said that he was one of the nicest and most humble ministers they had ever met and worked with.

His early morning starts, stacks of briefcases and close connection with key staff in the department served him well as he undertook one of the greatest challenges of our modern times when we were faced with the global COVID-19 pandemic. Followed the declaration of a major emergency in March 2020, Stephen became the central figure in the state's response to COVID-19. His diligence, compassion and attention to detail helped to lead South Australia through the uncertainty and crisis of the pandemic. Through his competent leadership working alongside SA Health and SAPOL, Stephen helped the state to become more resilient and a shining example of how to manage COVID-19 for the betterment and safety of the public.

I want to place on the record my special thanks to Stephen Wade for the way that he worked closely with me during the pandemic to reach out to the multicultural community. It was through Stephen's support that we were able to have numerous COVID information forums with Professor Nicola Spurrier and those forums were tailored to addressing the special needs of culturally and linguistically diverse community groups. SA Health was working with Multicultural Affairs to translate all the COVID materials and vaccine materials into more than 25 languages.

I want to acknowledge Stephen's legacy as Minister for Health and Wellbeing, which will also be greatly marked by the many improvements and developments that he brought to the health system. Under the Marshall Liberal government, Stephen was responsible for saving the Repat and developing it into a thriving health precinct and for investing in building bigger and better hospitals with the $3 billion building program. His enormous contributions were towards the new Women's and Children's Hospital and the upgrades to Modbury Hospital, the Lyell McEwin Hospital, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Flinders Medical Centre and Noarlunga.

Thanks to Stephen, our state had over 2,800 more beds, doctors, nurses and ambulance staff than under the Labor government prior to the 2018 election. I know that Stephen's long-lasting legacy will continue to have a positive impact on the health system and the people of South Australia. He will forever be a shining example of the influence and important role that we should all strive for as members of parliament and representatives of the South Australian people.

I want to express my sincere thanks to Stephen for his friendship, his wise counsel, his wisdom and his true commitment to making a difference to the lives of South Australians. I wish Stephen well in his retirement from parliament and I also want to convey my best wishes to him and Tracey on their future undertakings and wish them all the best.

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

At 23:00 the council adjourned until Thursday 31 August 2023 at 14:15.