OPERATION RURAL FOCUS 2

Mr GRIFFITHS (Goyder) (14:38): Can the Minister for Police advise the house on the number of expiation notices issued for traffic infringements within the Yorke Peninsula and Mid North areas during Operation Rural Focus 2, and will the minister provide the house with a list of fines issued under the 'other offences' category detailing specific offences?

Traffic police from the city conducted Operation Rural Focus 2 on Yorke Peninsula and in the Mid North from Thursday 19 August to 26 August. It has been reported that some 261 fines were issued, including 106 other offences. Many people have contacted my office concerned that this was purely a revenue-raising exercise.

The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT (Lee—Minister for Police, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:39): I thank the member for his question. Operation Rural Focus 2 is an important component of our road safety strategy. As you may be aware, police do this from time to time. A number of issues have been raised. Can I say to the member that each issue that has been raised with me has been raised with the police. We do not have any evidence that has been put to us that would suggest that any of these expiation notices were issued when they should not have been issued, but my invitation to the member—

Mr Williams interjecting:

The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT: There has been a lot of speculation. I have raised these matters with the commissioner and the commissioner has taken them on board. What I am saying to the member who I know has some genuine concerns, as has the member for Frome, is that, if you can provide me with any evidence of any infringements that you think are unfair or unwarranted, of course I will explore those on your behalf directly with the commissioner. Some of the speculation—I am not accusing you of that—

Mr Griffiths interjecting:

The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT: Some of the speculation that has been raised, I have referred to the police. They have refuted that, but they have also said that if there is any evidence, for example, if you can draw to my attention an expiation notice that says something like 'There were groceries on the back seat and we got fined for that'—police tell me that that has not happened—I will on your behalf, of course, raise that directly with the commissioner. Let's not forget that this is an important part of the police's strategy with regard to road safety. It is an important part of the strategy to keep the road toll down.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT: As I have said and as I offer, despite the interjections, if the member for Goyder has any evidence that he can bring to my attention, I am happy to pursue that for him. If, on the other hand, it is simply speculation, it will be treated as such.