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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2020-10-15 Daily Xml
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Visvanathan, Prof. R.

The Hon. C. BONAROS (15:00): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Health and Wellbeing a question about Professor Renuka Visvanathan.

Leave granted.

The Hon. C. BONAROS: The South Australian Employment Tribunal recently awarded highly respected physician Professor Visvanathan $115,000 after it ruled she was subject to discrimination and bullying at work between March 2014 and January 2018. This included a former Adelaide health bureaucrat repeatedly bullying the professor, turning colleagues against her and, when she complained, ensuring she was overlooked for a promotion despite being the only qualified applicant.

The tribunal president, Stephen Lieschke, ruled that Dr Visvanathan should have been appointed to that particular role that I referred to because she was the only eligible candidate; however, another doctor was awarded the position over her in March 2015. That appointment was set aside after she made complaints about the selection process and the role was eventually cancelled in early 2016. My questions to the minister in relation to the tribunal's decision are:

1. How much money has SA Health and CALHN spent over the past three years on legal fees fighting Professor Visvanathan in court?

2. What are the grounds for the appeal that is pending?

3. Have you received written advice from the Crown Solicitor's Office in relation to the prospects of success in the case?

4. What is the budget for the pending appeal?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (15:01): The honourable member in her own question is highlighting the reason why I can't respond in detail. Following advice from counsel, which included representations from the Crown Solicitor's Office, an appeal has been lodged in this matter and in that context it would be inappropriate for me to comment.

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