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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-05-04 Daily Xml
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Question Time

ROYAL ADELAIDE HOSPITAL

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:19): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the interim Acting Leader of the Government a question regarding ALP chicanery over the new Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: The government wants to lease part of the Parklands along North Terrace for the new Royal Adelaide Hospital but, instead of a 35-year lease which would, of course, cover the life of the proposed construction and consortia payment period, the government now only wants to lease this piece of land for nine years and 364 days—one day less than 10 years—and, of course, we know why. Mr President, any Parklands lease that is 10 years or more has to be received by you, sir, and laid before this house. By having a lease just short of 10 years, of course, the government avoids a democratic vote on the floor of this chamber. Labor will just renew this lease every nine years and 364 days until the end of the public-private partnership. My questions to the minister are:

1. When will Labor ministers stop inventing new tricks to avoid parliamentary scrutiny on the new Royal Adelaide Hospital?

2. What is the government trying to hide from parliament and the people?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for Gambling) (14:21): I think it was the journalist Greg Kelton who wrote that only here in this state could you find a pack of whingeing, whining people opposing things like a state-of-the-art public hospital. Even Greg Kelton drew attention to the fact that to whinge and whine about such an incredible public asset and amenity could not happen anywhere else in the world—where a group of people (this opposition) are opposing such a dynamic and wonderful project in the interests of the South Australian community. Only this opposition could whinge and whine about such a state-of-the-art project that will provide such an incredible asset, amenity and services to South Australians.

The house is obviously well aware that everything this government has proposed to build for this state—the tramline extension, the Adelaide Oval and the new Royal Adelaide Hospital—has been opposed by the Liberal opposition. All the way, all they have done is whinge, whine and oppose. On every initiative that we have wanted to take this state forward with, just about any major initiative, what has the opposition done? Whinge, whine and oppose. They are knockers. They are trying to tackle and undermine public confidence. They are knocking good ideas and knocking good policy. They are negative, carping, whining and disgraceful—absolutely disgraceful.

Then, of course, there was that incredible spectacle where the Hon. David Ridgway called a press conference on the topic of the Royal Adelaide Hospital but was unable to answer any questions. I don't know whether you saw the film footage, Mr President. It was hilarious, absolutely hilarious—calling a press conference and he couldn't answer any questions. He comes to this house referring to documents that he then refuses to table. Of course, we know the history of this party. We know the history of the opposition—dodgy documents. That is what we know—dodgy documents.

In contrast, the government has said it will release the costs details, and we will release those once we are in a position to do so. The facts are that the SA Health Partnership will design, build, finance and maintain the new Royal Adelaide Hospital and provide non-clinical support services over a 35-year period. The state is currently in the final stages of negotiation over that 35-year contract, I have been advised, with SA Health Partnership. I have been advised that financial details of the project are confidential until contract negotiations with the SA Health Partnership consortium are completed, a contract is signed and a financial close is reached.

As the honourable Minister for Health has already mentioned in another place, consistent with other PPP projects in South Australia, the government will release details of the Royal Adelaide Hospital PPP contract within 60 days of the contract being signed, including the total value of the signed contract. We will provide full information to the public about the final cost of the project over 35 years. The government will release all the information that is not commercially confidential.

That information is well established on the public record. We are open and transparent about what is going on. Instead of the opposition getting behind us in terms of a state-of-the-art healthcare facility—a fabulous amenity, wonderful health services to be provided to South Australians—what does this pack of knockers do? Whinge, whine, carp and undermine this marvellous project.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Ridgway has a supplementary question.

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