House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-11-10 Daily Xml

Contents

HOSPITALS, REMEMBRANCE DAY

Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (14:14): My question is to the Minister for Veterans' Affairs. Why has the government instructed public hospitals not to broadcast this year's Remembrance Day service? The opposition has been given an email that was distributed in the health department that says, 'With the exception of the Repat, observance of Remembrance Day should not be broadcast over the hospital public address system.'

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Treasurer, Minister for Workers Rehabilitation, Minister for Defence Industries, Minister for Veterans' Affairs) (14:15): The mock indignation on the other side is a bit galling. Madam Speaker—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Treasurer, sit down. Order! Thank you, Treasurer.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Madam Speaker, I am not aware of such an instruction but, if there is such an instruction, I imagine that there would be very, very good reasons for such an instruction being made. I do not know if the opposition realises that there are sick people in hospitals. It might have something to do with their treatment, or—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: —their sleeping. There may well be a very good explanation for such an instruction being made. I would be more than happy to, first, verify that the instruction is, in fact, correct as the member for Morphett claims, and secondly, return to the house and provide an explanation if, in fact, such an instruction has been given.

Mr Pengilly interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Finniss. The member for Lee.