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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-05-21 Daily Xml
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Federal Budget

Mr HUGHES (Giles) (14:27): Can the Minister for Health inform the house about the potential impact of the recent federal budget cuts on health in regional South Australia?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Defence Industries, Minister for Health Industries) (14:27): I thank the member for Giles, who looks after his electorate, and has an assiduous interest in the regional hospitals in his electorate. The government is committed to improving health services in regional areas. That is why we have invested in redevelopments at Port Lincoln and Mount Gambier hospitals, as well as enhancements to the maternity wing at Mount Barker.

We have opened dedicated chemotherapy units in Wallaroo, Clare, Port Augusta, the South Coast, Murray Bridge, Whyalla, Naracoorte, Mount Barker, Gawler, Berri, Ceduna and Kingscote, with further units due to come on line this year. We have opened an integrated mental health inpatient unit at Whyalla, and a unit in the Riverland will be opening in June.

In contrast, some people don't care about health care in regional South Australia. Last week's federal budget slashed more than $600 million from the health budget over the next four years. In the 2017-18 financial year alone, the state will be $269 million worse off. This is the equivalent of closing nearly half of all beds in regional hospitals in South Australia. The people of South Australia have a right to expect that those who represent them in this place stand up against their federal counterparts, who want to savage the services available to country residents. They should be standing with this state government, and with the people of South Australia, to reject—

The SPEAKER: The Minister for Health will be seated. He is welcome to apprise the house of what he believes will be the effect of the federal budget on South Australia, but he has no responsibility to the house for what the state opposition should do or not do. Minister.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Sir, if you look at my remarks, I was very careful not to identify Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition in my remarks. I kept my remarks general, so people, particularly those who represent—

The SPEAKER: So I was mistaken in identifying the state opposition?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: I think if you check the Hansard, sir, you might have inferred that, but I was very careful not to directly say that it was the state opposition. They should be standing with this state government and with the people of South Australia—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: You should be! You should stand up for country South Australians. You can squawk like a mob of galahs, but you should be looking after your constituents rather than being the lapdogs of Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey.

Members interjecting:

Mr GARDNER: Point of order: I think the standing orders and natural justice require action on this.

The SPEAKER: The Minister for Health is called to order and warned a first time. Has the Minister for Health finished?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Yes, sir.

The SPEAKER: There is a supplementary question from the member for Davenport.

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