Hallett Cove Police Station

Mr SPEIRS (Bright) (15:22): My question is to the Minister for Police. When the Labor Party promised my constituents a new police station at Hallett Cove at the 2006 election, and then held a media launch to open it in 2008, why was nobody warned that it would be closed just seven years later?

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light—Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (15:23): The operation of the police and also the dedication of officers in their duties, etc., is in the province of the police commissioner. The police commissioner has made it very clear publicly on radio, in the media and also in community meetings that from his perspective—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: No, it is not a question of money. He has made that very clear. He has made it very clear that from his perspective in terms of delivering the best police service for the state, it would be achieved by, and I quote him here—in terms of stations, that 'bricks and mortar do not deter crime. Police deter crime.' His view is to release officers—

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Unley is warned for the second and final time.

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: To release officers for duties on the road from satellite stations which may or may not get one or two inquiries a day in some cases—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: Let me finish the answer.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: Well, in seven years policing strategies and policing techniques have changed. We've actually—

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: Well, they have changed. You haven't been in government—that's why you haven't noticed. The best way to deter crime—and the police commissioner has made this quite public—is, in his view, to have a strong police presence on the road with police in cars, etc. He has also made it very clear that he believes this is best achieved by perhaps closing some of those stations that do not achieve much community input.