Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2019-04-02 Daily Xml

Contents

SA Pathology

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (14:32): Yes; noting from that answer that presumably it might be made to other aspects of the health system. Given the report says SA Pathology should be given the opportunity to make fundamental changes to its operating and business model, will the minister now guarantee that the government will not privatise SA Pathology?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:33): I don't know where the honourable member has been today because I think the government is continuing on the tradition of honesty and frankness by making a clear—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. K.J. Maher interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Leader of the Opposition, can you show some respect for the Hon. Ms Scriven. She has asked an important supplementary question. The minister is attempting to answer it. Minister.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: As I was saying, this government wants to be clear with people. This is an opportunity to reset SA Pathology. The organisation is guaranteed to remain free from privatisation for the next 12 months. In that time, we need to show that improvements can be made to the efficiency of the agency. Unions and stakeholders have vehemently opposed privatisation, while they have all acknowledged that there are efficiencies that can then be made. Privatisation is off the table for 12 months, but the people of South Australia are entitled to have value for money, high-quality pathology services. That's what this government will deliver.