Victorian electoral commissioner Steve Tully has been appointed the complaints commissioner for the health sector in South Australia.
Mr Tully, who previously worked in SA in a variety of government positions, will take up a one-year appointment, replacing current complaints commissioner Leena Sudano.
Ms Sudano’s seven-year term expires at the end of March.
Health Minister John Hill told state parliament on Thursday that Mr Tully would draw upon his considerable skills in investigation, analysis and negotiation in his new role.
Mr Hill said over the next 12 months the government would consult with health and community groups about the best way to restructure the complaints office to improve access for health workers, carers and patients.
Opposition health spokesman Martin Hamilton-Smith said he welcomed Mr Tully’s appointment but hoped he received more personal and financial support that Ms Sudano.
He said the commissioner’s budget was in tatters, staff numbers had been cut and morale was at rock bottom.
“In the midst of this chaos, victims of our health system, our disability services and child protection agencies are not being well served with a diminished access to a complaints mechanism,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.
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