20 October, 2026
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (14:34): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question without notice to the minister representing the Minister for Health and Wellbeing on the topic of access to health care in regional hospitals.
Leave granted.
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I understand that the McLaren Vale and Districts War Memorial Hospital was founded in 1951 and has operated as a community not-for-profit with some government funding in the past. The hospital temporarily closed in 2023; however, I understand that there are now plans to reopen it. On its website, the hospital purports to be, and I quote from that web link, 'for everyone, no matter your age, ability, background or circumstances.'
Members of the hospital board include failed Liberal preselection candidate and Lord Mayoral aspirant, Henry Davis, and the founder of the South Australian chapter of the right-wing organisation Turning Point, George Mamalis. The Turning Point Australia website states that Mr Mamalis has been a political adviser to the Hon. David Speirs, the Hon. Sarah Game, and aspiring state president of the Liberal Party and right-wing warrior, Senator Alex Antic. My question to the minister representing the Minister for Health and Wellbeing is: given the political views espoused by board directors Mr Davis and Mr Mamalis, is the minister confident that all South Australians in the regions would feel welcomed by the hospital, should it reopen, and will the government seek assurances of this before any government funding is provided?
The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Deputy Premier, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Arts, Special Minister of State) (14:36): I thank the honourable member for his question. I will take the substance of the question on notice and refer it to the minister in another place and bring back a reply for the honourable member. I am aware in very general terms, as I understand it—and I am happy to check this information again—that the hospital that the honourable member refers to is currently unlicensed and not providing services. I am also aware, if I remember correctly, that there is an outstanding debt owed by the hospital to the state government.
In general terms, it would be concerning to me, and I think to many people in the community, if a hospital was being used for political purposes, but I am happy to refer those questions to the Minister for Health and bring back a reply.