CADELL FERRY

Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (15:36): I am so used to Dorothy Dixers from the other side during estimates. My question is to the Minister for Emergency Services. When the closure of the Cadell ferry was first discussed in cabinet, why did the minister not advise cabinet of the adverse impact of the ferry's closure on emergency services in the Cadell area, and why didn't she consult with the people of Cadell?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (15:36): I thank the member for Morphett for his question. I can inform the member for Morphett and the house that on 17 May SAFECOM provided me with the following advice: that Cadell is inside the south side of the Murray, the same side as the township, prison and farms/properties; the other side of the river is pastoral country with some conservation parks, in essence, except for a few shacks and buildings near the river, mostly uninhabited.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: I am telling you what I was advised. You can have your own view.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: You can have your own view. I am telling you what I was advised.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Minister, I direct you back to the question.

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: From an emergency response perspective—

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Unley, order!

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: Morgan is 8.9 kilometres away by road but across the river and Waikerie is on the same side of the river as Cadell. I was further advised practically all the population and infrastructure will not be affected in terms of emergency response from the existing Cadell CFS site if there were no ferry service.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police advised in a minute that the Cadell ferry service operates on the River Murray near the township of Cadell. The service sits between the Morgan and Waikerie ferry services. There are police stations at Morgan and Waikerie that both service the Cadell township. SA Police have reviewed this proposal and advised that if the Cadell ferry was closed it would not adversely impact on the policing services to those communities.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Ms Chapman: Where your own prison was.

The SPEAKER: Order!

Ms Chapman: Didn't you know what side of the river it was on?

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Bragg, order!