Women's and Children's Hospital

The Hon. S.L. GAME (15:12): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before directing a question to the Attorney-General, representing the Minister for Health, regarding the Women's and Children's Hospital.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.L. GAME: The research component of the new Women's and Children's Hospital will make it one of the most expensive buildings, having already blown out from $3.2 billion to $3.6 billion. This 400-bed facility will come in at $9 million per bed compared to the new Royal Adelaide Hospital, which costs $3 million per bed.

We have become accustomed to public projects blowing out, and with the research component of the new Women's and Children's Hospital making up the bulk of the cost it raises the question there has to be a better way. The medical precinct on North Terrace already houses several state-of-the-art research facilities, including the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute and the Australian Bragg Centre.

My question to the Attorney-General is: instead of adding to the growing cluster of research facilities already in the vicinity, will the government consider adding more beds instead of what could be considered a surplus research component?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:13): I thank the member for her question. I will refer those to the minister in another place and bring back a reply.