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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2020-04-28 Daily Xml
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Coronavirus

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (14:37): Supplementary question arising from the original answer: I am just wondering if the minister can highlight to the chamber is it appropriate for people that are going in to visit family members who have life-threatening illnesses also going to have tests for COVID-19?

The Hon. S.G. Wade: Say that again.

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE: Is it appropriate for people to be sharing a lift if they are in there with life-threatening diseases, or going to visit family with life-threatening diseases, while sharing a lift to go and get tested for COVID-19?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:38): As I have suggested, I would ask people who are going to be tested to be mindful of other users. Personally, if I was going to the clinic I would wait for the next lift or approach the clinic by another way, but I am not going to lecture South Australians on how to live their lives.

The fact of the matter is that we all need to learn to live with COVID-19, and I think the way that South Australia has been working together in relation to COVID-19 has been exemplary. I strongly believe that it significantly increases our safety, because we have seen examples in the other states and territories where they have not been able to maintain them. For example, we have not closed our beaches here, yet consistently the police report is, and other reports are, that social distancing is being practised. New South Wales tried to open two beaches last Saturday: my understanding is that it only lasted an hour or two.

I think that is indicative of a confidence that South Australians have in the public health team and also just a basic sense of kindness, if you like. In a situation like this, we need to give each other a bit more room, not just physically but also socially. I was horrified when I heard reports of people being abused in parts of South Australia. I must admit this was a South Australian case. People were being abused because they had interstate numberplates. Perhaps that person had been in South Australia for an extended period and hadn't got round to changing them.

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE: Point of order: it was a very clear question. Are there separate lifts for those who are visiting their loved ones with illnesses and those who are having a COVID-19 test? It was a very simple question: a yes or a no?

The Hon. S.G. WADE: If you are asking for a point of order from the President, you talk to the President.

The PRESIDENT: Minister, continue.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! There is no point of order. The minister is directly referring to the way South Australians are behaving. Minister, please finish your answer so we can move on to the Hon. Ms Scriven.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: Whether you are in a lift or whether you are at the beach, all I ask is a bit of kindness.

The Hon. E.S. Bourke interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Deputy Leader of the Opposition.

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