Estimates Vote

South Australia Police, $955,110,000

Administered Items for South Australia Police, $67,000

Minister:

Hon. J.K. Szakacs, Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services.

Departmental Advisers:

Mr G. Stevens, Commissioner of Police, South Australia Police.

Mr S. Johinke, Director, Business Service, South Australia Police.

Mr B. Cagialis, Head of Finance and Procurement, South Australia Police.

Mr S. Watkins, Superintendent, Governance and Capability Service, South Australia Police.

The CHAIR: Welcome everybody to today's hearing for Estimates Committee B. I respectfully acknowledge the traditional owners of this land upon which the committee meets today and the custodians of the sacred lands of our state.

The estimates committees are a relatively informal procedure and, as such, there is no need to stand to ask or answer questions. I understand the minister and the lead speaker for the opposition have agreed an approximate time for the consideration of proposed payments, which will facilitate a change of departmental advisers. Can the minister and the lead speaker for the opposition confirm that the timetable for today's proceedings previously distributed is accurate?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I can, sir, thank you.

The CHAIR: Changes to committee membership will be notified as they occur. Members should ensure the Chair is provided with a completed request to be discharged form. If the minister undertakes to supply information at a later date, it must be submitted to the Clerk Assistant via the answer to questions mailbox no later than Friday 2 September 2022.

I propose to allow both the minister and the lead speaker for the opposition to make opening statements of about 10 minutes, if they so wish. There will be a flexible approach to giving the call for asking questions. A member who is not a committee member may ask a question at the discretion of the Chair.

All questions are to be directed to the minister, not to the minister's advisers. The minister may refer questions to advisers for a response. Questions must be based on lines of expenditure in the budget papers and must be identifiable or referenced. Members unable to complete their questions during the proceedings may submit them as questions on notice for inclusion in the assembly Notice Paper. I remind members that the rules of debate in the house apply in the committee. Consistent with the rules of the house, photography by members from the chamber floor is not permitted while the committee is sitting.

Ministers and members may not table documents before the committee; however, documents can be supplied to the Chair for distribution. The incorporation of material in Hansard is permitted on the same basis as applies in the house; that is, that it is purely statistical and limited to one page in length.

The committee's examination will be broadcast in the same manner as sittings of the house are broadcast, through the IPTV system within Parliament House via the webstream link to the internet and the Parliament of South Australia video-on-demand broadcast system.

I will now proceed to open the following lines for examination. The portfolio is SAPOL. The minister appearing is the Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services. I declare the proposed payments open for examination. I call on the minister to make a statement, if the minister wishes, and to introduce his advisers. I call on the lead speaker for the opposition to make a statement, if he so wishes. I call on members for questions.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: Thank you, Chair, for your introduction, and I also thank members of both sides of the chamber for their attendance today. Can I first introduce those advisers attending with me today. I have to my right Commissioner Grant Stevens, Commissioner of South Australia Police. To his right is Steve Johinke, Director of Business Service at SAPOL. Behind me, I have Bill Cagialis, Head of Finance and Procurement at SAPOL, and with him is Superintendent Simon Watkins, Governance and Capability Service at SAPOL.

I will make a few short remarks in my opening statement today. SAPOL's outstanding performance over the last year, indeed over the last two years, is a credit to SAPOL staff, the dedicated Police Operations Centre and the organisational business continuity modelling that has been coordinating resources to critical areas at crucial times when urgently required to do so. From 22 March 2020, Commissioner Stevens, as State Coordinator, declared COVID-19 a major emergency under the Emergency Management Act and then provided continuous leadership for this state, working closely with SA Health as the control agency and the former and current Premiers.

In saying so, I do thank the former Premier and former police ministers for their service during that time as well. As State Coordinator, the commissioner has balanced the state's approach to the multiple requirements of the COVID-19 declaration restrictions, ensuring the maintenance of community confidence. That is an outstanding outcome in the last two years. SAPOL has a strong community licence with this state and I think amongst jurisdictions across the country has found itself in a very strong place with the conclusion of the emergency management declaration.

SAPOL delivered an ongoing commitment of significant policing resources, with 300 to 600 staff through this period dedicated to COVID-19 duties each day. Notwithstanding this, SAPOL was still able to fulfil its core functions as defined in the Police Act to respond to new challenges while continuing COVID-19 duties. The emergency management declaration was extended by the Governor 28 times for a total of 793 days. This is remarkable, as the longest emergency declaration previously made in the state had only been in place for a period of four days.

In late November 2021, SAPOL commenced a gradual scaling back of its COVID-19 operations in response to the opening of our domestic and international borders and the easing of activity restrictions in South Australia. SAPOL has worked collaboratively with SA Health as the control agency and the premier of the day to coordinate the state response, and as a result, in a balanced approach, SAPOL has not only played its part in keeping the community safe through the COVID-19 period but has also ensured our response to the pandemic has not unnecessarily affected South Australia's economy.

It is worth highlighting some of the more significant outcomes and challenges for SAPOL throughout the year. In 2022, it was not enough that we had a COVID pandemic to manage, but there was record rainfall—very close to your heart, I know, sir—associated with weather patterns related to ex-Tropical Cyclone Tiffany, which caused significant impacts in the northern, central and western parts of South Australia. Major damage was caused in 45 municipalities, the most extensive on Eyre Peninsula and in the north-west pastoral areas, including major disruptions to road and rail networks connecting the state to Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

This damage challenged the state in relation to food security, water security and fuel security, resulting in health consequences, stranded travellers and agricultural issues. The state emergency centre was activated as part of the state and national response to address the breadth of the challenges. The commissioner, acting as State Coordinator, on Friday 28 January 2022 declared a major emergency under the Emergency Management Act. The declaration was revoked on 8 February 2022 once the situation had stabilised. Notably, this was the second longest duration of an emergency declaration and the first time in the history of our state that two declarations were in effect at the same time.

Sir, another matter that is close to your heart is the standing up of the APY lands policing model. Providing policing resources to the APY lands has been an ongoing challenge over many years, primarily centred on the remoteness of communities. The new APY staffing model commenced on 2 May 2022 and is on target for full implementation by 1 July 2022.

The APY staffing model has reimagined the way that SAPOL provides policing services in the APY. For the first time, SAPOL has undertaken ongoing fly-in fly-out staffing to support normal policing operations. The APY staffing model has provided 10 permanent specialist positions within the APY that are supported by a larger, Adelaide-based workforce pool of 33 general duties members, utilising this FIFO structure.

I am pleased to report that the new Hindley Street Police Station was opened on 27 May 2022, after more than 17 years at the previous station. I know many members of this place will have attended the previous Hindley Street Police Station—hopefully for a tour rather than for other purposes—and I think we all can agree that the facilities there were well and truly outdated. I can certainly say, having toured on a number of occasions now the new Hindley Street Police Station, that the dramatic improvement in facilities there will serve the community and will also support frontline police.

Operation Meld, well known to many people in this room, was established on 1 July 2021 to address criminal offending by a group of known youths of African descent predominantly involving robberies, thefts and public disorders in the eastern district. A dedicated group of nine investigators and two intelligence officers has been assigned to investigate these offences. The criminal offending continued after the formation of the operation and, concerningly, extended to two offences well known and well publicised in the media. Operation Meld continues to investigate this serious offending, and Major Crime Investigation Branch is continuing to investigate the murder attached to the most serious of that offending.

On 23 December 2021, South Australia Police Task Force Southern, Crime Stoppers and the Commissioner for Victims Rights partnered to launch a new initiative to obtain information from the community in respect of the ongoing investigations into the murders of Robert Atkins, Trevor King and Jeff Mundy, which occurred in the southern suburbs in 2020 and 2021. Task Force Southern now comprises 36 investigators, supported by intelligence officers.

Another major operation is that of Operation Ironside. More than 460 SAPOL officers, along with AFP personnel, were utilised to undertake one of the largest single days of action against serious and organised crime in the state's history as part of the global investigation Operation Ironside, an undeniably significant achievement whilst still maintaining an effective COVID-19 response. More work has been done since then and will continue, including the complex prosecution phase, which I know the Attorney has spoken of and answered a series of questions about during the estimates process. Operation Ironside now comprises 48 investigators and is supported by intelligence officers.

Australia is currently experiencing some of the lowest unemployment rates seen since the early 1970s. Further to this, SAPOL is being impacted by a phenomenon known as the 'great resignation', the unprecedented rise in the number of workers resigning from their jobs following the pandemic. The impact of COVID-19 is one reason for this decline, but researchers are still trying to determine what other factors are contributing to this great resignation.

One of the concerning side effects of these two issues is the inability for Australian and New Zealand policing jurisdictions to recruit suitable police applicants. Never before has SAPOL been so challenged and tested in this area. This is not new. This has not happened in the last two days, but SAPOL is working to urgently address this issue, as is every Australian policing jurisdiction.

The coordination of our frontline services, including SAPOL and other services within my portfolio area, such as the emergency services, as well as the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, has been profound and remarkable during this pandemic. There has been significant coordination across the delivery of services, particularly in respect of the relationship that has been formed between SAPOL and the SES.

Cross-agency mobilisations of cohorts of SES volunteer members and Department for Infrastructure and Transport redeployees and the engagement of other civilian groups have supported during the pandemic SAPOL's border operations and its incredibly successful COVID-19 compliance operations.

With cessation on 3 June 2022, these compliance operations have resulted in approximately 600,000 checks being undertaken on individual persons, and a further 85,000 on business entities, to monitor and ensure compliance with prevailing requirements of the State Coordinator issued COVID-19 directions, including requirements to isolate, quarantine, submit to COVID-19 testing, limit patron numbers and implement social distancing and density.

As I remarked earlier, education and assistance, and not punitive action, was the guiding approach of these COVID-19 compliance operations which ultimately found that the South Australian community was overwhelmingly compliant with COVID-19 directions, despite SAPOL having also issued 5,094 cautions and 2,377 monetary fines and effecting the arrests of 398 persons and reports of a further 76 persons. These approaches and outcomes were critical to the maintenance of public confidence in SAPOL and the government in difficult, unprecedented and uncertain circumstances.

This state budget provides $1.7 million in 2022-23 to be transferred from the Department for Health and Wellbeing for placing nurses in metropolitan custody facilities. This program continues with 24/7 nursing services to both detainees and prison officers in the City Watch House and Elizabeth cells, along with coverage on afternoon and night shift in the Port Adelaide and Christies Beach cells. It delivers an onsite treatment program, reducing the significant impact on police resources typically involved with transporting and guarding detainees who would otherwise be taken into an emergency department. The funds transfer commences on 1 January 2023 and ongoing funding of $3.4 million indexed over the forward estimates has been provided.

The state budget also provides $3.3 million in capital funding over two years to build two new police posts at Indulkana and Pipalyatjara and provide additional operating funding for the Fregon police post—sir, again, matters that I know are close to your heart.

During the 2021-22 financial year, SAPOL continued to focus on maintaining a safer work environment for working police officers, cadets and protective security officers performing frontline operations by rolling out multipurpose load-bearing vests. This state budget, our first in government, provides a further $4.5 million in 2022-23 to purchase an additional 1,500 multipurpose load-bearing vests, and $1 million on undershirts over four years.

The CHAIR: Can you look to wind up as there was 10 minutes allocated.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: With a further $1 million to ensure that there is vest and storage facilities to ensure that all sworn officers have access to vests. In closing, as I may not have another opportunity this morning, can I sincerely thank SAPOL for its assistance in the incredible work provided more broadly but also in preparation for my first estimates, as well as the staff from my office in supporting me in the delivery of my responsibilities as minister.

The CHAIR: Thank you, Minister. Member for Chaffey, do you have an opening statement or questions?

Mr WHETSTONE: I just have a quick opening statement. On behalf of the opposition I would like to thank SAPOL, the officers and the staff for their dedication and commitment to the task before them. I would also like to acknowledge the state commissioner, seconded to be the State Coordinator, for his gallant effort over the two years of COVID, and now back as commissioner—it is great to see. I think the former government and the police and corrections minister did an outstanding job, so I thank all of them for their dedication and concerted effort to keep South Australia safe.

I refer to Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, page 201. Can the minister explain the reason for the dramatic decrease of 195 public safety FTEs from the 2021-22 budget?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: The workforce cap for 2022-23 is 5,881.9 FTEs, to be explicit. That is 182 less than the 2021-22 FTE cap of 6,063.9 FTEs. To give some information as to what reflects those numbers, the COVID-19 temporary measures regarding PSOs were not funded into the next financial year. Those considerations of ongoing funding for PSOs whose contracts continue until well into 2023—the calendar year that is, around April/May—is the subject of a very high-level commitment this government made in respect of a Premier's task force that will be constituted. As we speak, I as the minister and the government are consulting with stakeholders, including the Police Association as well as SAPOL, regarding membership of that task force.

That task force will have a number of key functions, the most important of which is to report to the Premier and make recommendations regarding future resourcing requirements of SAPOL. A very firm commitment that I have made since being the minister is to hear the multiple voices that are interested in this space. Everyone has a seat at the table. The voice of everyone from the police commissioner to police to PASA are critically important and will be represented on that task force.

That will make recommendations in quarter three of this calendar year. Those recommendations, as we have both committed as an election commitment and I have reinforced as the minister and as the Premier has reinforced as the Premier, are not to be focused on simply this term of government, are not to be focused on just next the financial year but also on the next 10 to 15 years of resourcing that is necessary for police.

As long as I can remember, there have been various iterations of sworn numbers committed from both sides of politics. The most recent iteration was a contribution in a temporary way of support staff to manage and support the police commissioner in his duties as State Coordinator through the temporary employment of PSOs.

What is very promising is that the conversations and the consultation I have undertaken so far with both the police as well as the Police Association is that we—as a government and the police and the Police Association—are all on the same page when it comes to a flexible consideration of the deployment and utilisation of those PSOs in respect of their functions, in respect of their responsibilities, and how in the future, through recommendations that will be coming to me and to the Premier, we will support frontline policing operations.

Those PSOs are currently subject to a process agreed to in previous years with the Police Association and SAPOL, which was formed as part of the EBA, in respect of moving PSOs into the Police Act, giving them a recognition and a responsibility under the Police Act itself. That process is continuing and will certainly inform, as far as I am currently aware and as I look forward to, the recommendations that will be coming to me and to the Premier regarding future resourcing of SAPOL.

The final remark that I will make on FTEs over the coming 2022-23 financial year is to reflect on the 2021-22 financial year. As I made remarks in my opening statement, there has been a significant shortfall in recruitment targets for the last financial year. One of the things, if not the first thing, the police commissioner and I spoke about probably two hours after I was sworn in as a minister, and then certainly that evening when I met him face-to-face for the first time as minister, was the long-standing challenges that police had been facing, that he had been facing as the commissioner, throughout the last year in respect of recruiting police.

As I also said in my opening remarks, this is not something that has just magically appeared. This has been an issue that has been percolating now for months and years during the COVID pandemic. There are various anecdotal reasons that have been put to me in my conversations with various people regarding what is challenging police recruiting. One thing that is not in any confusion, certainly in my mind, and as the advice that I have provided indicates, and as the Premier has provided to the police commissioner, is that any support he needs in recruiting is there and the government will respond accordingly.

But there is a definite lack of appropriate potential police cadets. The last two years of policing in this state, and this country, has looked dramatically different to what it did three years ago. If a potential applicant to SAPOL, a potential future police officer, was sitting back and remarking or contemplating what life as a police officer would look like, the last two years would have informed their views in a way that may not have been the case previously, with things such as border patrols and compliance checking in response to the lead role that SAPOL have taken during the pandemic.

As the police commissioner has privately and publicly remarked, thank goodness he can now return to his core and sole function as police commissioner at the conclusion of the emergency management declaration. Moving forward, policing will be returning to somewhat business as usual now that, but for a dozen or so FTEs, the police are largely not undertaking ongoing COVID duties. Certainly, the compliance responsibilities have now transferred back to SA Health.

The CHAIR: Can the minister wrap things up?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I am happy to, sir. Before I do, if I can remark on the fact that further advice I have received in my short 12 weeks or 11½ weeks as minister is that there has been a higher attrition in the last 12 months than had been expected. I did speak about the great retirement or the great resignation from many workforces, but the attrition in the last 12 months has been about 28. I am happy to correct that or provide some more details to the member specifically on that number, but there has been a higher than expected—39, thank you. Thirty-nine is the attrition, member for Chaffey.

There were resignations deferred during the COVID period as well where officers and staff from SAPOL deferred their resignation, and that has ultimately found us in the position that we find ourselves in at the end of this 2021-22 financial year, and moving into 2022-23 as a new government, where numbers are a challenge, but we are fully committed to addressing that in the most meaningful and constructive way that we can as a government.

Mr WHETSTONE: Did you try to answer all of my questions in the opening statement? Is that how it works?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: If you are accusing me of being incredibly comprehensive, member for Chaffey, then I am happy to take your accusation.

The CHAIR: I am sure you have plenty of other questions.

Mr WHETSTONE: Thank you, Chair. Minister, you talked about the future. The 2021-22 budget as opposed to the 2022-23 budget forecast: there are 195.4 less FTEs in that second round. What can you say to SAPOL officers and staff who are currently under the pump with a reduction in numbers of that quantity?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I am happy to share some of the not-so-private conversations I have had with police in my time as minister. There are multiple things: one is that I hear their concerns. As a minister and as a government that was elected in March of this year, we have taken heed of the concerns that police have put to us as a new government. We in fact were saying the same things in opposition, member for Chaffey, and that is why there was a comprehensive set of election commitments made by the then Malinauskas Labor opposition, and we are very pleased to be delivering those as a member of the cabinet of the Malinauskas government.

Those election commitments that we made demonstrate that we were listening and that we were identifying, as much as the response from the former government may not demonstrate that, and we were demonstrating in opposition that we knew and understood there was a recruiting issue, there was an issue with the shortfall of numbers and there was an issue with the approach the former government made in respect of only temporarily funding on a short-term basis 164 to 168 FTEs in respect of PSOs.

That is why, as I remarked earlier—and I will not go through the entire comprehensive answer again, member for Chaffey—we committed in opposition, and I reaffirmed that as the minister to the Police Association and to police when being sworn in as a minister, my absolute commitment and the Premier's commitment to the task force, and not just to the task force but to what the task force seeks to do, and that is quite different from what the last four years would show.

We have committed through this budget to no cuts, no efficiency dividends or savings—quite different from the hundreds of millions of dollars of savings that were imposed and cut from SAPOL's budget in the last term of government. I have said to police privately and publicly that I hear their concerns and that we are acting on those concerns.

Mr WHETSTONE: Will the savings measures introduced by the Weatherill government for the 2022-23 and the 2023-24 years of $23.6 million be enforced by the Malinauskas government? In total, that makes it a $47.2 million cut to the SAPOL budget.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: Can you clarify which financial years you referred to, member for Chaffey?

Mr WHETSTONE: It was 2022-23 and 2023-24.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: The year the decision was made in respect of forward estimates?

Mr WHETSTONE: They were savings measures introduced by the former Weatherill government—$23.6 million through the forward estimates, 2022-23, 2023-24. Will those savings be enforced by the Malinauskas government—in total, $47.2 million in cuts?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: The answer is yes, I think it was the 2016-17 financial year you are referring to in respect of those savings measures, which were then maintained and built upon by your government—I think you were in cabinet at the time—and that was a savings measure that was borne out over the forward estimates up to and including 2022-23.

What I can unequivocally say, and as has been the firm commitment from the Premier in opposition as well as the Treasurer, and as we have proudly confirmed now, is there are no new efficiencies, no new savings, no cuts to supplement or build on those very significant cuts that we have seen over the last four years.

Mr WHETSTONE: With all due respect, minister, an efficiency, a saving and a cut are the same thing.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I am not sure what the proposition to that was, but I am not necessarily arguing the contrary.

Mr WHETSTONE: Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, page 199: have any SAPOL FTEs been laid off following the easing of the COVID-19 restrictions?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: When you say 'laid off', can you just explain?

Mr WHETSTONE: Have any FTEs been laid off following easing of the COVID-19 restrictions?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: Could I just ask for clarity: when you refer to 'laid off', do you mean TVSPs?

Mr WHETSTONE: I beg your pardon?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: You use the phrase 'laid off'. I would like some clarity, if you would be kind enough.

Mr WHETSTONE: Have been stood aside, have been seconded elsewhere. Has there been a reduction in FTEs due to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: Thank you for your clarification, member for Chaffey. There has been a reduction in FTEs, and I will provide to you on notice the specific breakdown of numbers if it assists. There have been a number of PSOs who have either had their duties reassigned or been absorbed into business as usual and that then of course is a reduction in that FTE but a supplement to what has been a backfill arrangement.

There were a significant number of contractors who were engaged to support and supplement the COVID operations. I am advised that they have ceased, but I will provide those specific numbers to you on notice.

Mr WHETSTONE: Thank you, minister. How many SAPOL FTEs are still dedicated to the COVID-19 response?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: The current number is less than 10. I am advised that it does fluctuate somewhat day to day, but I think on average six FTEs are dedicated to COVID. I think I mentioned before it was a handful; it is less than two handfuls.

Mr WHETSTONE: Are any SAPOL officers still seconded to the Tom's Court quarantine facility?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: No, there are not. Tom's Court has ceased operations from a SAPOL perspective.

Mr WHETSTONE: Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, page 199: minister, can you provide a breakdown of SAPOL's employment growth rate over the last five years?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I am happy to take that on notice, member for Chaffey, and provide some more detail that may not be available as I sit here.

Mr WHETSTONE: Okay, thank you. On the same reference point, can you advise when the next cadet course intake will occur?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I am just getting you the specifics. I can provide that significant detail to you now. Specific detail on this is that we had a course begin last week and we have a further course commencing on the—

Mr WHETSTONE: How many were in that cadetship course last week?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: Sorry, member for Chaffey, at this stage the next recruit course is scheduled to begin on 14 July 2022. That has been moved to slightly later in the month to achieve the full program, dependent upon the pipeline of recruits. As for the final number in that course, I will take it on notice and provide it to you.

Mr WHETSTONE: We have seen three cadet course intakes cancelled due to the lack of numbers. What proactive approach will you as the minister, or SAPOL, take to make corrections on the missed three intakes?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I might ask the police commissioner, who has of course been carrying this responsibility through the whole of 2021-22. What I can say in respect of the question regarding what I am doing is, starting from the very first conversation that I had with the police commissioner, I am ensuring that he knows that he has the full support of myself and this government in his dedicated and amplified approach to recruiting—it is necessary.

I have taken the opportunity, on multiple occasions in various forums since being the minister, to speak publicly about the need for more recruits and also the opportunity that SAPOL can provide to potential job applicants. I am sure that everybody in this room would agree that it is an extraordinary career and a fantastic job. It is secure work and well paid, which ticks whole bunch of boxes that we are seeking to achieve as a government.

I know that, to a large extent, that is supported by all sides government. On the remedial action and also on the challenges that have been faced in 2021-22, I might ask the commissioner to provide some more specific detail.

Cmmr STEVENS: Thank you, minister. It is certainly no secret that we have faced unique and, I would say, unprecedented challenges with recruiting. In order to address the shortfall in recruiting, which has seen three courses cancelled—we aim for an average of 24 participants per course, and we cannot identify or confirm the final numbers in each course until, in many cases, days before the commencement of that course.

We are happy to provide that information for the course that started on 16 June, as well as for future courses as they are filled. In order to address the shortfall, we have utilised some of our savings from sworn salaries to invest in an intensive recruiting campaign and in marketing policing as a career option to a wide range of potential applicants.

We are also recontacting people who have previously applied for SAPOL in recent years and seeking their desire to reconsider policing as a career and to put them through the process. We are contacting recently resigned or retired SAPOL members to see if they are willing to consider re-entry into SAPOL.

We are also reconfiguring our recruiting and selection process to make sure that we are making it as easy as possible for applicants to navigate their way through the process. This includes the use of an online application form—which has only just been introduced, as a result of the current challenges—and the ability to engage with applicants during the application process to make sure we keep them on track and assist them in completing that process.

We have some aggressive targets, and a full review of our recruiting and application process is being undertaken to make sure there are no unnecessary barriers that impede people registering their interest and working their way through that process successfully.

Mr WHETSTONE: Thank you, commissioner. Minister, if there are 24 cadets per course, what is the attrition rate? If 24 apply, how many get the gig?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I am happy to ask the commissioner if he has information available on that, otherwise we can provide it on notice.

Cmmr STEVENS: If it would be acceptable, I would like to take that on notice, but I can say that the attrition rate for cadets during the training program is very low, almost inconsequential. Clearly, we prefer people to stay the course, if you will forgive the pun, because we do invest significant resources in selecting them for the program, and we are very keen for all of them to graduate. It is a very low number—in single digits.

Mr WHETSTONE: Minister, when can we expect to see those cadets, from the introduction to the course then into operation and then onto the beat?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: Just to clarify, is this the next course?

Mr WHETSTONE: The cadetship. If cadets start their course today, when can we expect to see them achieve the accreditation and then be in operation and on the beat?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: No matter what date or time the recruit course starts, assuming a course were to start today, it would be 9½ months, in response to your question; nine months and 2.1 weeks, I believe it is. I am further advised that the swearing is undertaken at six months, so the FTE number for sworn is adjusted at six months when they are sworn. At the conclusion of their 9½ months, they become probationary constables.

Mr WHETSTONE: Minister, I refer to Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, page 199. Will SAPOL consider recruiting from the United Kingdom, as they did in 2005 to 2007?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: Obviously, that has taken place in the past. The commissioner has not asked me to make a consideration or, to the extent of that, advised me of his intention to undertake that change to recruiting practices at this point. But as I quite fairly said, and I think in a fair response to your question, if everything is on the table, then I would be considering any advice put to me by the police commissioner. If his advice were to pertain to recruiting from other jurisdictions, then I would take that advice and consider it in a reasonable way.

Mr WHETSTONE: Is there a trigger? Through you, minister, to the commissioner, is there a trigger when you will enforce other recruiting marketing strategies like the Calling All campaign, that type of initiative, to fast-track recruiting numbers?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I appreciate where you are going with the question, but probably 'trigger' is not the right way to look at it. If there were a trigger, the trigger has certainly been pulled. All efforts are being put into additional recruiting. There has been a very significant spend undertaken by SAPOL in respect of Calling All, that recruitment campaign. I might ask the commissioner to provide some more detail on that for your benefit, but there is no KPI-based trigger that implements or calls in new or other tactics. Commissioner, could I ask you to provide some more detail around Calling All?

Cmmr STEVENS: We have invested somewhere in the order of about $500,000 in the intensive campaign referred to as the Calling All campaign. That campaign so far has generated somewhere in the order of about 350 additional applications, which are being processed at the moment. That is quite a refreshing result from that effort.

It is our preference in the first instance to recruit locally from South Australia to provide jobs to South Australians. We are canvassing other Australian jurisdictions, seeking currently employed police officers from other states and territories, because the ability to put them through the academy process is much more streamlined and we can put them onto patrols much more quickly. Other considerations, such as UK recruiting, are factors that will be taken into account when we work through the outcomes from the Calling All campaign.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I might add one additional matter in respect of the tactics or strategies on this matter. There is a very strong value proposition in the arguments or the recruiting tactics put in by SAPOL around attracting Australian jurisdictional existing police from other jurisdictions to Adelaide, to South Australia and to our regions. Our cost of living is lower and our housing is more affordable, notwithstanding challenges that we are all aware of in respect of housing affordability. They are matters that are being actively addressed.

I have said to the police commissioner that I have no reservations whatsoever in raiding the pots or the pool of other states because, frankly, other states are doing exactly that as we speak. There are significant advertising campaigns also being executed by other jurisdictions that are trying to seek recruits as well as to recruit existing police, and they are being actively targeted across state borders. The police commissioner is going to add one more thing as well.

Cmmr STEVENS: It is also worth pointing out, I think, that we have recognised the challenges for regional South Australians to pursue a career with policing, given the logistics of having to spend time in the academy, and we are making allowances to offset the cost-of-living impacts for those individuals during the recruit selection process and also during their time in the academy, to remove some of those burdens for regional South Australians.

Mr WHETSTONE: Thank you, commissioner. Minister, what sort of incentives are you giving for regional applicants wanting to join the force?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I will ask the commissioner to respond.

Cmmr STEVENS: That is exactly what I was referring to. We have acknowledged that people who live in regional South Australia would face significant challenges, given the cost of living and having to relocate to metropolitan Adelaide to participate in a 9½ month training program. In acknowledgement of that, we are looking to offset those cost-of-living impacts to make it easier for regional South Australians. There are recruiting activities occurring in the regions, but our current training delivery is entirely centred around the Police Academy at Fort Largs, and that does create issues for regionally located South Australians.

Mr WHETSTONE: Thank you, commissioner. What is the salary for a recruit under the cadetship program, the starting salary?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: Would you mind repeating the question?

Mr WHETSTONE: What is the starting salary for a recruit under the cadetship program?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I will grab that for you.

Mr WHETSTONE: We might as well get that out there before we try to promote the program.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: It is not a secret, but I am getting that information and I will provide it to you. I can provide some more clarity to a previous question. I have been given some numbers. I think I took on notice the number of cadets on the current, or the most recently instituted, course. That is 24 individuals, 24 cadets, and that is constituted of 12 males and 12 females. I will continue, though, and refer to my previous on notice answer regarding 14 July, because those numbers are still being finalised.

With respect to the specifics regarding the salary breakdown for cadets, the cadet junior rate, which applies to under 21 year olds, so 20 or under, is $31,192, and that is paid for the duration of their 9½ months of training. The wage or salary for the cadet, which excludes penalties and overtime, is $47,753, and again that is for the duration of their 9½ months of training. Upon completion, notwithstanding the age of the cadet, the starting salary including overtime is, give or take some change based upon the current EBA movements, $90,000.

Mr WHETSTONE: Would you consider upping the ante if you are looking to second more SAPOL officers? That starting salary, I guess, might be considered as an apprentice wage. I guess that is the way I started.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I think there would be a few apprentices who would be happy to earn $31,000 or $47,000.

Mr WHETSTONE: Horses for courses. The question is: would you consider upping the ante to try to entice more cadets into the program?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: The commissioner has already referred to some particular strategies that are in place to attract regional applicants. I think that is a very sound strategy. The wages of those cadets, be it the junior cadet rate or the cadet rate, are a matter for the enterprise bargaining agreement negotiated from time to time. Of course, the Attorney-General is responsible, and the Treasurer, as the holder of the Treasury accounts, has an involvement as well.

It would be insincere for me to say that there is a plan that is on the table now to increase the training wage of cadets in that 9½ months—there is not. That has not been advice that was put to me. Relativities are important here and as the member for Chaffey referred to in respect of an apprenticeship, I think this is more than an apprenticeship, hence the payment and the salary of these individuals is very much higher than what a first-year through to fourth-year apprentice could expect to make.

Mr WHETSTONE: Minister, I beg to differ. I am looking at supply and demand and while I look at the mining industry, while I look at agriculture and while there is a shortage of workforce and traineeships, wages have risen and training enticements have risen significantly to entice people from one sector to the other. That is why I asked whether there is any thinking around increasing wages. I thank the commissioner for the packages that could be put to those applicants, but if we look around the country, around South Australia, there is a shortage of trainees and apprentices and cadetships. To entice them, it is called money.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I welcome the member for Chaffey and I being on a unity ticket when it comes to doing all we can to improve the wages and conditions of working South Australians, and the Labor Party's long and firm commitment to doing so. We have seen great success recently—unfortunately, opposed in a very dramatic way—in improving the minimum wage across the country, which does have a very significant and demonstrable flow-on to wages across all jurisdictions. I am not sure, quite honestly, of the member for Chaffey's position on minimum wage for farm workers and for agricultural workers. There has been much litigation through the federal commission—

Mr WHETSTONE: Terrible outcome.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: 'Terrible outcome'—I think in confirming so the member for Chaffey and I are not on a unity ticket then when it comes to improving the wages and conditions of working South Australians. Notwithstanding the difference of opinion and policy that we have on this, all matters are on the table, and the strong advocacy of police when it comes to their wages and conditions always flows on to cadets. I think to give credit where credit is due, years of strong advocacy from the Police Association have seen the cadet wages of cadet police in South Australia at a very firm and sound level. I sincerely doubt—nor am I advised—that those wages have contributed to the shortfall that we currently see in recruiting.

Mr WHETSTONE: I have done what I can to try to get the cadets a better pay deal, but we will see how we go. Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, page 199: how many SAPOL FTEs have been impacted by the vaccination mandates?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: If I could ask for some clarity just to assist in the answer for the member for Chaffey: do you mean numbers that have been stood down from time to time as a result of the mandate?

Mr WHETSTONE: That is correct.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I will take the specifics of that on notice because that obviously was a number that changed from time to time. At various points, whilst there was a mandate in place, the numbers changed so there were various attempts to return those non-mandate compliant workers to the workforce. I will bring a specific number back to you, as it may have fluctuated from time to time.

Mr WHETSTONE: On the flip side of that—that you will take on notice how many SAPOL FTEs were impacted by the vaccination mandates—how many SAPOL FTEs returned to work after the mandate was lifted?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I will take some specific details and provide that to the member on notice, but the commissioner has advised me that he can provide some additional information to you now as well and is happy to provide that answer.

Cmmr STEVENS: Thank you, minister. The specific numbers in relation to the SAPOL employees affected by the vaccination mandate will be provided on notice, but I can say there were in the order of about 35 to 40 employees in total who were affected by their vaccination status and furloughed from work. Once the major emergency direction for police workers was lifted, it was replaced with a management direction that required people to be fully vaccinated or wear PPE whilst at work and to undertake rapid antigen tests, firstly on a daily basis and then every second day.

Since having revoked that emergency direction, approximately one-third of those people have returned to work on full duties, another third are still in the process of returning from leave—some on long service leave, some on sick leave and some on leave without pay—and there is another cohort who have, at this stage, indicated that they will no longer be returning to SAPOL.

Mr WHETSTONE: Thank you. Minister, can you give me an understanding of how many SAPOL FTEs are isolating on a weekly basis, currently?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: Obviously, that does change, so I think the mapping of that we will provide, if we can, additional detail, but we are in a space of around 120 a week. At the most recent cut that I have on 17 June, so from a couple of days ago, we had 109 COVID-positive in isolation, but that does fluctuate. There is no doubt that the advice that I received as a member of the emergency management committee of cabinet also indicates that there is likely, over the next coming weeks, to be an increase in statewide numbers. I would expect, on a law of averages, that there will be an increase in the number of SAPOL staff affected.

There is advice provided from our health leaders that that curve up will impact everybody quite uniformly, and I certainly am mindful that SAPOL, education, health workers and even the good folk who work in this place are not at all immune from the societal impacts that COVID continues to make in our community.

Membership:

Mr Odenwalder substituted for Mrs Pearce.

Mr WHETSTONE: Minister, what percentage of SAPOL staff—officers and staff—are currently vaccinated?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I will take that on notice.

Mr WHETSTONE: Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, page 199: given low police officer morale and increased pressure over workforce shortages, what actions are the government taking to protect staff in terms of the mental health and wellbeing of first responders and other SAPOL staff? What measures are you putting in place to protect and support them?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: The Employee Assistance Section of South Australia Police provides a statewide professional psychological, medical and social work support service, with the aim of maintaining or improving the physical and mental health of employees. This incorporates collaborative work with employees and local managers to mitigate risk and encourage safe and healthy workplaces. The EAS also provides a consultancy, training and assessment service in the areas of physical and psychological mental health and wellbeing.

In specific detail, for the member's benefit, it is General Order 8540 that governs this. This general order applies to all SAPOL workplaces and workers and, amongst other things, aims to ensure that workers experiencing trauma are offered adequate and targeted resources and also that workers are aware of the processes to access such support. Further, it is very important to note that there was, I think within a week or so of being sworn in as a minister, the survey results of a significant body of work undertaken that looked at and reported on the mental wellbeing of officers.

I have spoken in the parliament on a number of occasions of my professional experience in supporting workers at work, particularly those who have been working in industries or workplaces that either experience vicarious trauma or themselves suffer trauma. The EAS and mental health response, mental health wellbeing focus of SAPOL, has been demonstrated to me to be a very firm commitment by the commissioner, as well as his senior managers and leadership group.

Further to the member's question in respect of the numbers and the response therein: to 31 March 2022, which is the last information that I have before me, a total of 465 psychological related incidents were reported compared to 473 for the same period last year. Of these, 88 were involved in an injury compared to 78 for the same period last year. Psychological related incidents account for 27 per cent of total incidents reported compared to 26 per cent for the same period last year.

Mr WHETSTONE: Thank you, minister. I will not presume anything, but how are you supporting SAPOL volunteers through mental health and their wellbeing?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I refer to my previous answer in respect of the details around that.

Mr WHETSTONE: Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, page 200, the completion of the firearms control system project. It has been delayed for 12 months. What is the reason for that?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: To date, the firearms control system replace project has delivered implementation of a customer portal for firearms dealers and licensees, with the following digital forms:

Record of incoming firearm;

Record of outgoing firearm;

Account creation request and change of details;

Integration to and leveraging the SA government's mySAGOV platform for accessing SAFR customer portal, as well as to view their current firearms licence;

Deployment of self-audit online form for firearm licence holders to assist with data cleansing work; and

Development and commissioning the integration from current firearms control system to Australian Firearms Information Network.

The product selected for the enterprise portal was a modification of the licensing and registration application provided by the Western Australia Police Force. Following the detailed planning and design phase of this work, it was discovered that a significantly higher degree of modification than originally envisaged was necessary to meet SAPOL requirements, and this portion of the project has been paused whilst alternative solutions are being analysed by SAPOL.

Mr WHETSTONE: Thank you, minister. What evaluation process will the government be implementing to ensure that the goals of this program are met and that we do have this program rolled out after a 12-month delay?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I do note the importance of this matter for the member for Chaffey. As a rural member, firearms are a part of life. I know you have spoken about this in the chamber before, and I do note that. I also note that since being a minister I have met with various stakeholders and interest groups that represent firearms users, all of whom have demonstrated an incredible responsibility and support for strong and effective firearm licensing control. I am very pleased to see the very strong working relationship that many of these groups and key stakeholders have with the South Australia Police Firearms Branch.

With respect to the governance and delivery of this project, as well as the evaluation, a key body of work is being undertaken by SAPOL, and that will be delivered to me through the police commissioner for advice and recommendations in due course. I am assured that the balance is being pursued in respect of community needs and community concerns.

Mr WHETSTONE: Same reference point: the completion of stages 2 to 4 of the police records management system has been delayed by 12 months. Can you give me a comprehensive understanding of why there is another program delayed by 12 months?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I will refer to the police commissioner, who can provide a bit more detail in respect of the complexity of the carryover of this project.

Cmmr STEVENS: That is probably the point I would like to highlight: this is a highly complex project. We are continuing to seek carryovers to ensure the project is delivered in accordance with what is required for successful implementation. Over the last two years, the project has been impacted by COVID, which would be no surprise to anyone, with the difficulty of being able to retain staff on the dedicated project—they have been redirected to COVID-19 emergency response and operational duties—along with the impact of staff isolation through COVID-positive cases. That is, I suppose, the brief summary as to the reason for the delay. We are committed to delivering the project, but it is complex. I am advised that we have a major release next week.

Mr WHETSTONE: Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, page 200, the same reference point: the SAPOL communications centre upgrade was introduced under the former government and was due for completion in June 2023 at a project cost of nearly $16.5 million. Why has this upgrade been cut from the budget?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: The characterisation that this was introduced by the former government, the upgrade of the communications centre, I think is only part of the story here. There is no doubt that what was begun as a project with respect to the scope and anticipated works was rapidly changed. I am not sure what advice or otherwise the former minister may have received. It would be improper for me to ask him the questions as he sits here today, but I reiterate his tenure as the Minister for Police.

The $16.5 million was provided in the 2019-20 budget, and that was to upgrade some facilities or functions within the building. The works were proposed to ensure that the seismic integrity of the building in the event of an earthquake would be sufficient. However, following due diligence, an in-depth investigation into the feasibility of this retrofit—that is, the feasibility of the retrofit provided as part of that $16.5 million of funding—the Department for Infrastructure and Transport did provide written advice, in their capacity as SA government mandated capital project risk managers, to formally express their serious concerns in relation to pursuing an upgrade to Carrington Street, as the original funding commitment intended.

The Department for Infrastructure and Transport advised that the refurbishment would not be feasible due to a series of factors, including no operational continuity options during construction; the refurbishment scope would likely still not, despite the premise of this question, achieve the required critical infrastructure and importance of level 4 standards, given the building's original structural design; and further, the associated risk and unknown cost impacts with undertaking the refurbishment.

At this point, DIT recommended SAPOL pursue a new build solution as a preferred outcome. This information was not disclosed prior to the original funding commitment. Following DIT's recommendation that the best value for money option for government to also ensure operational continuity is for the state to pursue a new build strategy, SAPOL was provided additional funding from the business case fund to undertake a series of additional works.

This included undertaking a full business case for the future requirements and options for a replacement communications building to ensure it continues to be fit for purpose to meet future needs and can support the critical 24/7 operational capability in the event of a significant event. The ongoing work in respect of this business case continues; it is yet to be completed. Once it has been completed, it will be received, evaluated and considered in the usual processes.

Mr WHETSTONE: Of the $16.474 million for this upgrade, how much had been spent before the cancellation of the program?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I will provide the exact amount and some specific details to you on notice, member for Chaffey. I am advised that the full expenditure in respect of the business case has been undertaken or will be anticipated to have been undertaken, but the capital funding has not been expended at all. As I explained in my previous answer, the progressing of the option that was funded at the time would have led to unacceptable operational risk and problems for SAPOL communications centre operations.

Mr WHETSTONE: Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, page 201, public safety: minister, can you explain why the public safety net cost of services has been cut by more than $12.5 million?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: While we are finding some information on that, member for Chaffey, I can provide a bit of information to you to clarify a previous answer that I gave in respect of your strong advocacy for wage increases. Maybe we are back on the unity ticket. I am advised that cadet recruits spend six months on the cadet salary and then, once sworn at six months, complete the remaining 3.5 months of their training on a probationary constable salary, which is approximately $71,000. I think I advised you that there were nine months at $31,000 and $47,000; in fact, it is only six months at those levels and it then increases rapidly to $71,000 per annum. It is not a bad salary for an attainment of a training apprenticeship.

Mr WHETSTONE: Can I take any credit for that wage bump within 15 minutes?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: Immediately. Why not?

Mr WHETSTONE: Thank you.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: It is your prerogative.

Mr WHETSTONE: Back to the $12.5 million cut to the public safety services.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: Could you provide some clarity in respect of the figure that you referred to?

Mr WHETSTONE: On page 201, public safety net cost of services has been cut by more than $12.5 million. In actual fact it is $12.518 million.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: Could you clarify what years you are referring to there?

Mr WHETSTONE: Comparing the 2021-22 budget with the 2022-23 budget, there is a difference of $12.518 million—a reduction.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I can provide some additional detail on the difference between the estimated result, which is probably more pertinent to where operations currently are in the future there. We will grab that now for you. I am advised that the decrease is primarily due to a number of factors:

the higher expenditure for COVID-19 resources in 2021-22, which is $54 million;

the sales proceeds for the Academy and Stirling sites, paid into the consolidated account in 2021-22, which is $5.5 million of the $13.9 million total;

lower expenditure for the multipurpose load-bearing vests initiative in 2022-23, which is $1.5 million of the $4.3 million total;

increased operational saving measures in 2022-23;

higher commonwealth government funding that has been recognised for projects in the APY lands;

that list has been partially offset by higher enterprise agreement costs and indexation of expenses in 2022-23, which is a total of $7 million of the $18.8 million total;

an increase of 0.5 per cent to the superannuation guarantee in 2022-23. As a firm advocate for better wages for working South Australians, I know the member for Chaffey would be very keen to know that working South Australians will receive that increase in SG in 2022-23;

lower depreciation in 2021-22, which is a total of $700,000 of the $1.7 million total;

the sale of surplus equipment in 2021-22, which is a total of $0.2 million of the $0.6 million total; and

a one-off recognition of donated battery assets from the Department for Energy and Mining in 2021-22, which is a total of $0.2 million of the $0.6 million total.

Mr WHETSTONE: I refer to Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, page 200. Minister, over the forward estimates, can you explain why the investment program has been cut by more than $29 million?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I will take that on notice, member for Chaffey, and provide extensive details for you. I am very keen to keep doing this. I have another clarification to a previous point. Rather than clarification, I am very keen to provide the most detail I can. The communications centre capital, which the member for Chaffey asked a question in respect of before regarding funds expended, I am advised that $74,000 was expended, which was for professional services.

Ms SAVVAS: I refer to Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, page 200, which I think was just referred to by the member for Chaffey. My question is: can the minister inform the committee about investments in the budget to support the community policing services in the APY lands?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: It is almost as if the Chair has asked the member to ask this question on his behalf.

The CHAIR: I am enjoying this.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: It would be well excused if the Chair did. The government has committed $4.242 million in 2022-23 in APY lands accommodation projects, which will enhance the capability of SAPOL to deliver policing services and improved community engagement to Aboriginal communities in the APY lands. Amongst the priorities for this funding is the delivery of two new police posts, with accommodation at Indulkana and Pipalyatjara, for which SAPOL has been provided with capital funding of $3.262 million to enable the completion of both facilities. Construction of the remaining two police posts and accommodation at Indulkana and Pipalyatjara will increase police presence in these remote communities and will enable greater access to police services in those communities.

These facilities will be comprised of public waiting areas, office space for two to three staff, two interview rooms, toilet facilities, multiple-bedroom accommodation, lounge and kitchen facilities, interview rooms that can be utilised as additional workspace, and kitchen and breakout lounge facilities to enable staff to stay on the lands for extended periods at the site.

The funding for these new facilities that I have highlighted shows the commitment that this government has in engaging with and supporting Aboriginal communities, whether they be in metropolitan Adelaide, regional South Australia or remote communities, such as the APY lands.

The facilities will support the delivery of police services through a new staffing model designed to provide a consistent and sustainable police presence in the communities of the APY lands, where permanently stationed officers are joined by police officers from the newly formed state operations branch APY lands section, which will roster into the APY lands on an ongoing basis.

The new model and the new facilities aim to improve police engagement with the community by providing improved consistency of service delivery and extending operational capability and duration of deployment into more remote areas of the state. This will enable improved police services to be delivered as well as provide greater capacity for relationships to be built and nurtured between South Australia Police and our local communities.

Importantly, officers of the APY lands section will undergo training including a bespoke culture and language training package specific to the Anangu people, including their language, history, culture and traditions. The first course was delivered in April, with participants providing extremely positive feedback to the project team. The first deployment of the APY lands section occurred, as I previously remarked, on Monday 2 May, and the full rollout will take place, as I advised, in July 2022.

The funding provided by this government to the new policing facilities in the APY lands is a clear example of our commitment to delivering positive outcomes for Aboriginal South Australians. I look forward to working with my parliamentary colleagues of all persuasions to address some of these inequalities experienced by South Australian Aboriginal communities that we know too well.

Mr WHETSTONE: Minister, I think this is project No. 4 that has been delayed. Can you give me an understanding of why the APY accommodation project has been delayed by 24 months?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: As I advised somewhat in my previous answer to the member for Newland, the three posts with accommodation at Fregon, Indulkana and Pipalyatjara are being project managed through DIT. This is through the cross-government service division. Construction has commenced on the Umuwa multi-agency facility, with offsite fabrication being undertaken at Tailem Bend. This commenced in February 2022, and mobilisation on that site now is scheduled for August 2022. Completion is indicatively programmed for December 2022; however, unfortunately, with potential impacts of material supply and COVID this could, I foreshadow, stretch from December 2022 to March 2023.

I am advised that the approval for the construction at Fregon to commence was only provided in March 2022, noting amended design documentation is required due to a change of site required by the APY council right back in 2021. I am advised that completion of that Fregon build is currently estimated at June 2023. As I previously remarked, the additional funding for the construction was provided in the current state budget process. I look forward to the delivery of those projects on the lands as quickly as we possibly can.

Mr WHETSTONE: I refer to Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, page 199, the staffing model. Minister, can you update the committee on the consultation to date used in the APY lands staffing model?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I will ask the commissioner to provide the specific operational details around that.

Cmmr STEVENS: As with any reform or change that occurs within SAPOL, there is a formal consultation process that occurs once the project work is complete. That consultation involves engagement with affected elements of the South Australia Police workforce. It also involves extensive community consultation, and with the nature of the policing duties undertaken on the APY lands the engagement with the local community was of critical importance in ensuring that they understood our commitment to delivering effective services and consistent service delivery across the entire APY.

Mr WHETSTONE: Are there any ongoing disputes surrounding the agreements of that staffing model? Has the government received any feedback from the Police Association regarding the staffing model?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I will take on notice if there are any active disputes being managed by AGDs in respect of their capacity and responsibilities in respect of whole-of-government industrial relations. In respect of any that I am aware of, as the commissioner advises me, we are not aware of any ongoing disputes.

Mr WHETSTONE: Have you been to the APY lands?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I have not yet, unfortunately, not in the 11½ weeks that I have been a minister.

Mr WHETSTONE: Can you not find a decent host?

The CHAIR: I am more than happy to take you to the APY lands any time.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: It would not surprise you that conversations are active, but no, unfortunately, in the short time that I have been a minister, minus a couple of weeks with COVID, I have yet to be able to get up there.

Mr WHETSTONE: I refer to Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, page 201. Given the dramatic rise in crime rates and the ongoing staffing issues that SAPOL is currently experiencing, will the government introduce any legislative changes regarding crime statistics?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: The premise of your question is not accepted. There has not been a dramatic rise in crime statistics. It is certainly a matter of convenient cherrypicking that the member has been, I believe, referring to there. As for legislative change that may or may not be considered, there has been no advice provided to me from SAPOL in respect of any proposed or sought legislative change. If there was, I would consider that as ministerial and we would undertake the usual cabinet processes.

Mr WHETSTONE: Why were the crime statistics withheld from public eyes for the month of April?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: In absolute defence of the police commissioner, the member's question is mischievous at best. There was nothing withheld. Considering that the police commissioner is sitting next to me, I will ask him to perhaps respond in a more meaningful way to that absurd proposition.

Cmmr STEVENS: Prior to 2012, the accepted practice was that crime statistics were released at the conclusion of the financial year, after the cleansing process had occurred. That meant that the previous financial year's statistics were available sometime in September. In 2012, a change was initiated by SAPOL that saw crime statistics being released and uploaded at the conclusion of each month, but with a four to eight-week delay in those monthly results being uploaded to ensure that the data being uploaded was verified.

In the instance of March 2022, what occurred was no more than an administrative error, and that meant that the March statistics were not uploaded in the manner in which we have been doing it since 2012. I can confirm that the April statistics were uploaded some days ago, in accordance with that practice. It was simply an oversight.

Mr WHETSTONE: Thank you, commissioner. I acknowledge that it was an administrative error, but I guess I would challenge the minister on trying to sabotage any goodwill that we have.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: Was that a question?

Mr WHETSTONE: Well, you have to be ready to take it and give it. Minister, can you provide a breakdown on the number of petrol drive-off offences that have occurred within the last financial year?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I can provide that on notice, member for Chaffey.

Mr WHETSTONE: Can you advise the committee a percentage of petrol drive-off offenders who have been caught?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: Likewise, I can provide a suite of information to you, perhaps as comprehensive as my opening address, in respect of petrol drive-offs and the offences and the apprehension of offenders.

Mr WHETSTONE: I guess the underlying issue with petrol drive-offs is that we have always had the issue but we now have a significant issue with the cost of fuel and the impact that it is having on those businesses. I refer to Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, page 201. Can the minister provide a breakdown of the number of firearms that have gone missing in the last financial year?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: The specific number the member asks for I will need to take on notice. I have some other information should there be some further questions regarding firearms and particular statistics around those, but on the number that have gone missing I will have to take that on notice and provide it to the member.

Mr WHETSTONE: Can you also take on notice the breakdown of private firearms that have gone missing and SAPOL firearms that have gone missing or been misplaced?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: If that information is operationally available and not protected then I will provide that, yes, on notice.

Mr WHETSTONE: With that question taken on notice, I guess the question would be: does the government hold any intention of omitting either petrol drive-off offences or missing firearms from crime statistics?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: Sorry, admitting?

Mr WHETSTONE: Missing firearms.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: Sorry, did you say omitting or admitting?

Mr WHETSTONE: Does the government hold any intention of omitting either petrol drive-off offences or missing firearms from crime statistics?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I have received no advice to suggest that.

Mr WHETSTONE: Does the government hold any intention of changing the criminal age of responsibility in South Australia?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: That is a matter for the Attorney-General. I think the Attorney appeared before estimates yesterday and I am not sure if the member was able to ask the Attorney that, but it is a matter that is both the responsibility of and administered by the Attorney-General. I receive reports from the Attorney-General, as other members of cabinet do, on that matter. I know it is a matter that is well ventilated publicly with strong views and strong advocacy from various stakeholders in the community. I think, in fact, the former Attorney-General, the now former member for—

Mr WHETSTONE: Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, page 201—

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I got out of that quickly. I was about to say something nice about Vickie.

The CHAIR: Member for Chaffey.

Mr WHETSTONE: Thank you for your protection. Given the dramatic cuts to rehabilitation services outlined in the correctional services portfolio, what measures are you and the government going to put in place to prepare for the spike in reoffenders, considering the extra pressure that will put on SAPOL?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I can answer that twofold: one, is that I invite the member—if there was a correctional services question that he had, as much as I dispute the premise of the question—to ask that in the next session, which is fast approaching. As for any advice that I may receive from SAPOL in respect of their strong and ongoing work on a multi-agency level with corrections, I will advise in accordance with the usual practices.

Mr WHETSTONE: Back on the APY lands—and I am hoping you will get there soon—Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, page 199: SAPOL has not recruited community constables to work in the APY lands for a number of years. How many vacancies exist in the APY lands for community constables? Maybe you can intertwine what efforts the government are putting in place to encourage and recruit community constables.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: The commissioner advises me that there have been, and continue to be, and have been for a number of years, some well-known challenges with recruiting traditional community constables on the lands. There are vacancies and there have been vacancies historically. The specific number of vacancies as we currently sit today we will provide on notice to the member.

Mr WHETSTONE: Moving on to regional areas, Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, page 119, how many SAPOL FTE allocated positions exist in regional locations? If I may, minister, can you please give me a definitive line of what you consider a regional location as opposed to a metropolitan location.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I think in respect of that question it is far more important for the police commissioner to define the operational response. I am not sure that what I think is country or what I think is metropolitan is of any measure to the police commissioner. I will ask him to answer the second part.

I can advise the member that as of 30 April 2022 there are 915 sworn police positions in country areas and 3,781 positions in the metropolitan area. I will ask the police commissioner to provide some operational information regarding where and how that will be defined, for the member's benefit. The establishment in regional areas has slightly decreased in the last financial year, and country positions represent 19.5 per cent of the total of sworn positions.

Cmmr STEVENS: The distinction between regional and metropolitan is based on our current policing model, which has four metropolitan districts: east, north, south and western districts. That encapsulates the wider metropolitan area. The country local service areas comprise the remainder of the state and include those inner country areas, including Mount Barker and the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Mr WHETSTONE: Thank you, commissioner. Minister, with the pressure on workforce vacancies in regional South Australia, what does the government offer standing SAPOL staff being located in a regional centre?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: Just to clarify, is this in respect of entitlements or attraction measures and those—

Mr WHETSTONE: What incentives do the government have in place to entice SAPOL staff officers into regional centres?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: There is a series of measures and a series of entitlements and a series of attraction measures which are provided, and provided in various ways and various methods. Of note is the whole-of-government salary sacrifice arrangements. These are coordinated by the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment. There are new remote area benefits that are able to be salary packaged by eligible SAPOL members, with claims being able to be backdated to 2 September 2019 when the submission was approved by then cabinet.

Some of the additional benefits that now exist that eligible members are able to claim, in respect of these salary sacrificing arrangements, include:

The remote area housing, and it is employer-provided;

Remote area rental assistance;

Remote area mortgage interest; and

Remote area purchase of house or land to build.

SAPOL have addressed vacancy rates in the country areas by offering additional attractions, which include the following:

A guaranteed return to a district or local service area of the member's choice within three months of the expiration of their country tenure, and this applies to positions in Ceduna, Coober Pedy, Marla and Roxby Downs; and

A further reduction of tenure to one year instead of two, and this applies to Ceduna general duties members and to Ceduna CIB members.

Mr WHETSTONE: Thank you, minister. How many officers are not at work in regional areas come June 30 2022 owing to WorkCover and leave without pay absentees?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: Considering that is as of 30 June a projection, I will get the member a specific answer as quickly as I can after 30 June.

Mr WHETSTONE: Thank you. When will SAPOL implement the regional policing model—we have touched on it in some of your answers—outlined in a consultation paper on April 21? As a result of this consultation paper, what changes will be made in regional policing?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: That is a matter that I have asked to be considered by the Premier's task force.

Mr WHETSTONE: Okay. What is the projected funding required to achieve regional policing models?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: That will be advised through the Premier's task force.

Mr WHETSTONE: Would you like some input? That is okay. Minister, Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, page 199: could you please provide a breakdown of the number of police stations in regional South Australia that are currently closed or unmanned, or set to close due to staffing and other issues?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: SAPOL currently has 128 police stations in total across a statewide portfolio. Some 121 police stations are occupied and active. Seven regional stations are vacant and/or inactive, and I can provide the member specifics in relation to where those stations are currently located. They are satellite police stations that have been closed for a considerable period of time: Coffin Bay, Cockburn, Kalangadoo, Mannahill, Minnipa, Andamooka and Wirrulla. These vacancies have been used to offset positions in other regional locations.

Mr WHETSTONE: Thank you, minister. With note, there are a number of police stations around the state regionally that have unattended signs on the door. What category are they put into?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: My answer to the previous question was those that are permanently or by direction closed or not open. The member's question, in respect of a sign on the door that it is unattended, I am advised is about operational matters occurring right there and then. It could be that an officer is in the community, is attending to a call or doing something else, it does not indicate a station is closed. I have provided the answer and the advice, which is the number of seven, including the locations. If there is any information that the member has where a sign may be located at a location other than those seven specific locations, it is due to an acute or contemporary operational response or duties that are being undertaken.

Mr WHETSTONE: As an example, Renmark in the Riverland has a population nearing 12,000, yet the unattended sign has been at that police station door for a number of months now, raising concerning for public safety in that community.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I will take that question on notice. Two points in reply to that question: I am advised that police do work from Renmark and there are no concerns from SAPOL or me regarding operational safety as a result of any matters occurring in Renmark. I do note the member's advocacy for his community and, if there is further information I can provide him as the local member, I would be more than pleased to do so.

Mr WHETSTONE: Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, page 199: I am aware that there is a dispute with SAPOL and PASA currently being heard in the South Australian tribunal regarding staffing on Kangaroo Island. Minister, can you advise how much that will cost taxpayers to defend the litigation?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I will take that on notice insofar as my portfolio can advise, otherwise I will liaise with the Attorney-General as the Minister for Industrial Relations and provide that advice if I am able to at the conclusion of those proceedings.

Mr WHETSTONE: Thank you minister. Can you also advise of the cost to maintain the four officers on the island and provide a two-person on-call function in a single financial year?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: Any further information I can provide I will do so on notice, yes.

Mr WHETSTONE: Same reference point: following the highly publicised fifty-fifty recruiting strategy, how many extra officers have been recruited to cover for officers on parental leave?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: The advice I have received, member for Chaffey, is that recruiting is done to 4,696, and that accommodates officers who are on various types of leave. Any suggestion that recruiting targets to have the more diverse genders in our workforce somehow negatively impacts SAPOL operations, because women take maternity leave, would be most troubling.

Mr WHETSTONE: Same reference point: of the total number of sworn FTEs available allocated to substantive positions in the general duties response function in the districts, what percentage is currently at work performing the response function in each metropolitan district?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I will take that on notice, member for Chaffey.

Mr WHETSTONE: Minister, the issue around my personal conversations—my conversations with the Police Association and regional officers—is that there is a morale crisis within SAPOL. Obviously, the pressure on staff with the lack of incoming numbers is going to be addressed via the Premier's task force, but what is your view of the current state of staffing and morale in the police department?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: Sorry, Chair, I did not catch the budget reference number.

Mr WHETSTONE: Budget Paper 4, Volume 3, page 199.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: Just to be clear, the member is asking for my personal observations, loosely connected to a—

Mr WHETSTONE: You cannot take 20 minutes to answer this question because there are only six minutes to go.

The CHAIR: I think the minister has some latitude. It is a very broad question.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: It is an interesting question.

Mr WHETSTONE: I thought you might have referred it to the task force and we would get on with it.

The CHAIR: It is, I guess, loosely tethered to a budget line.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I could take 20 minutes to answer that question but I will not.

The CHAIR: I might stop you from doing that.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: Thank you, sir. Thank you for your protection. The member's private conversations that he referred to would be running parallel with the conversations I have been having with the workforce as well, that I have been having with the police commissioner in meetings as well, as well as the one-on-one conversations I have been having with many police.

There is no doubt that there has been a significant toll that COVID operations and COVID more generally has taken on the SAPOL workforce. I said earlier, and I believe this wholeheartedly, that SAPOL is not immune from the challenges and the wellbeing challenges that COVID has posed to other frontline workers. Just how incredibly excruciatingly hard the last number of years have been has been well ventilated by all frontline workers. I am dedicated as a minister to addressing matters as they are raised with me, ensuring a workforce who are proud to be sworn officers and a workforce who are resourced and healthy.

Mr WHETSTONE: Minister, I would like to ask about your understanding of the newly announced multipurpose load-bearing vests. I watched an interview with you on commercial TV. You described these vests as stab-proof, bulletproof and slash-proof. On reflection, do you think you would be misleading SAPOL officers, because they are stab-resistant, bullet-resistant and slash-resistant, not proof?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I appreciate the member for Chaffey's following of the good news story that was the announcement, in opposition, of the then Labor opposition to extend multipurpose load-bearing vests to all officers. I also note the very good news that we are getting on with delivering that commitment. What I can, without any equivocation, advise the member for Chaffey is that SAPOL members do not take advice on their vests from me, they take it from the police commissioner.

Mr WHETSTONE: So will you be getting your briefings from the commissioner next time you do a TV interview? That is a yes. Regarding mobile phone cameras, can you please provide an update on the progress of the camera program and why the program has been delayed?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I am very pleased to, but I will ask the member to redirect those questions to the road safety section that we have agreed to.

Mr WHETSTONE: Certainly.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: Thanks.

Mr WHETSTONE: Minister, can you please provide an update on the progress of the police aircraft services contract?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: There is a whole-of-government procurement that will be proceeding through usual and established cabinet processes in this financial year. I can provide advice to the member and to the house as they become decided and available.

Mr WHETSTONE: Does the government intend to continue those aircraft services contracts?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I refer to my previous answer.

The CHAIR: We have reached the allotted time, so I declare the examination of the portfolio of SAPOL and the estimate of payments for South Australia Police and Administered Items for South Australia Police completed. I would like to thank SAPOL for their work leading up to the estimates committee but also for the work that they do on behalf of the South Australian community. It is deeply appreciated.

Sitting suspended from 11:00 to 11:16.