Ministerial Statement

Commissioner of Police

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (14:01): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: I am pleased to confirm that earlier today the government announced the appointment of Mr Grant Stevens to the position of South Australian Commissioner of Police for an initial term of five years. Deputy Commissioner Stevens is a distinguished 33-year veteran of the South Australian police force and will begin his tenure on 21 July, when the current commissioner, Gary Burns, retires.

Deputy Commissioner Stevens joined SAPOL in 1982 when he was just 17 years of age. Since then, he has worked in many areas of policing, including criminal investigation, child exploitation, illicit drugs, organised crime, counterterrorism, intelligence, emergency rescue and search, state communications and emergency management. This wealth of experience at both the strategic and operational levels and the quality of his character see Deputy Commissioner Stevens commanding great respect both in South Australia and at a national level.

Mr Stevens is also an active member of the community through roles, including being chair of the Mitcham school governing council. He is a proven leader who has the respect and trust of SAPOL staff, partner agencies, business and the South Australian public. The community can be assured that he is absolutely the right person for this role.

Following Commissioner Burns' decision to retire, a selection panel was formed, consisting of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment, Erma Ranieri, Tasmanian police commissioner Darren Hine, and Chief Executive of the Attorney-General's Department, Rick Persse. SAPOL has an excellent leadership team, and the panel was asked to consider whether an internal appointment was appropriate. The panel invited Mr Stevens to apply for the commissioner's position. Following an extensive and thorough process, they were unanimous in their view that he be recommended for the role.

I welcome the recommendation of the panel and congratulate Mr Stevens on his appointment. I look forward to working with him, and I am certain that his appointment will be welcomed by both sides of the house, as I know it is. I should also take this time to thank Commissioner Burns for his service to the South Australian public.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: I have been working closely with Commissioner Burns since his appointment in 2012, and he has provided me with great support, loyalty and honest advice. There is no doubt that he has been a magnificent leader of our police force. Mr Burns has said that it is business as usual until he retires on 20 July, and there will be time to acknowledge his service in this place in the near future.

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:04): On indulgence, sir.

The SPEAKER: On indulgence, yes, leader.

Mr MARSHALL: Thank you. On behalf of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition, I welcome the Premier's announcement of the appointment of Grant Stevens to the position of South Australian Commissioner of Police for the next five years. We believe this is an excellent appointment and we look forward to working with the commissioner. We also, like the Premier, acknowledge the outstanding service of the retiring commissioner, Commissioner Burns, and we commend him for his service to the people of South Australia.