Question Time

SOUTH AUSTRALIA POLICE

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN (Stuart) (14:31): My question is for the Premier. In light of the Premier's comment on 10 February, and I quote, 'There will be no cut to police numbers; in fact, police numbers will grow,' can the Premier explain why the SA Police annual report released yesterday shows that, compared to the previous year, there are 43 fewer sworn police officers on the beat, 54 fewer sworn and unsworn full-time equivalents, 178 fewer sworn police officers recruited, and 240 fewer sworn and unsworn FTEs recruited?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Treasurer, Minister for State Development, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for the Arts) (14:32): I have been asked that question before, and I was given an explanation for what the answer is, and it is a good answer. It is a good answer, because I think it has been raised with me before. I think it is about when the snapshot is taken of police numbers. But the truth is that, over the period that we have given commitments to, police numbers will continue to grow. So not only do we have the highest number of police per capita, we will continue to recruit against attrition.

There are, of course, periods when there are intakes that go into the academies and certain officers come out, so numbers fluctuate around those needs, but police numbers on average are increasing throughout the course of this period. They are, I think, 850 higher than when we came into office. They are the largest number of police per capita. We are always happy to have a discussion about police numbers, because on this it has been one of the great achievements of this state Labor government, crime rates having fallen by 40 per cent or so over the last 10 years. These are the sorts of services that would be in jeopardy if they came to office, those opposite, and implemented their 25,000 job cuts in the public sector.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Before a supplementary from the member for Stuart, I warn the member of the Chaffey for the first time and I call the member for Schubert to order. Member for Stuart.