House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-10-17 Daily Xml

Contents

Ambulance Ramping

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS (Black—Leader of the Opposition) (14:17): My question is to the Premier. Does the Premier agree with the Deputy Premier that ramping figures in September were incredibly pleasing? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS: In a media release on 6 October, the Deputy Premier described the 3,290 hours lost to the ramp in September as, and I quote, 'incredibly pleasing'.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Premier) (14:18): The short answer to the Leader of the Opposition's question is that I always agree with the Deputy Premier in almost every instance.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: There are occasions where the Deputy Premier and I might have a different view on various matters, but in respect of this particular case I can assure you that the Deputy Premier and I are in lock step. The Deputy Premier, I think, is right to acknowledge where there has been improvement. We have hundreds of people, extra new people who have been recruited to our health service, on top of the thousands of others—

Mrs Hurn interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Schubert!

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: —who dedicate themselves day in, day out, trying to deliver the highest quality healthcare service that money can buy. Those people deserve commendation when they start to deliver improvement. Those people are worthy of recognition when they deliver a better outcome than what we have seen in the past.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Chaffey!

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: So the Deputy Premier is absolutely right in her remarks to acknowledge the contribution that those health workers are making, to acknowledge the improvement where we see it, because it is okay in our health system to celebrate success—

Mrs Hurn interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Schubert is warned for a second time.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: —where we see it. For some in politics, all they want to do is focus on the negative.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: That is in full display from those opposite.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Morialta, order! Member for Florey! The Premier has the call.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: I for one am very glad to be in lock step with the Deputy Premier in acknowledging the hard work of those people on the frontline, including where we see improvements in the system.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The Treasurer is called to order.