Senior MPs trade barbs over Opposition Leader David Speirs’ absence from state budget following attempted no-confidence motion in Chris Picton

Senior MPs have traded barbs on the floor of parliament over the ramping crisis, the state budget and a failed no-confidence motion.

Things go heated in parliament on Tuesday.

Senior MPs have traded barbs on the floor of parliament over Opposition Leader David Speirs’ absence from this week’s state budget, after a failed attempt to oust Health Minister Chris Picton.

The opposition launched a no-confidence motion in Mr Picton in parliament on Tuesday, arguing he should resign over “repeated failures” including the spiralling ramping crisis.

“Chris Picton has completely and utterly failed South Australians when it comes to ‘fixing ramping’, delivering two years’ worth of the worst ramping this state has ever endured,” he said.

Infrastructure Minister Tom Koutsantonis called Opposition Leader Davis Speirs a “bully”.

… with Speirs calling Kousantonis “gross”.

Premier Peter Malinauskas launched an impassioned defence of Mr Picton, highlighting increased funding for health facilities and staff.

Mr Koutsantonis later took aim at Mr Speirs, who will miss this week’s state budget to attend a family wedding in Scotland.

He told the parliament it was the job of the opposition to pore through the policies of the government on budget day.

“Look up your title, it says opposition leader – not travel agent,” he said.

An enraged Mr Speirs fired back across the chamber “I’ve got a family too” and “you’re gross” before he was calmed by deputy leader John Gardner.

Mr Koutsantonis told the parliament he had emails that allege Mr Speirs is “a bully”.

“You say it’s not personal yet you attack the health minister. You say it’s not personal yet you attack people,” he said.

“This is not about us … there’s one person in this room that we all know that the parliament doesn’t have confidence in and it’s not the health minister, it’s the leader of the opposition.”

The no-confidence motion was defeated 28-10, after the crossbench sided with the government.