Police Stations

Mr GARDNER (Morialta) (15:58): My question is to the Minister for Police. When the Labor Party promised in its election policy to 'introduce new ways to report crime', why didn't they notify the public of South Australia that they were ending some of the traditional ways, such as face-to-face reporting at eight suburban police stations?

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light—Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (15:59): I thank the honourable member for his question. There are two things: there are more ways than ever for people to report to police, including face to face. In fact, most of the reporting, of course, occurs online or by phone, which the community seems to prefer overwhelmingly. Some of these satellite stations which have been referred to had on average two to three contacts a day and some days had no contacts at all, so the overwhelming contact that our community prefers is in other ways. We are making sure that the resources are utilised in a way to make sure, as the Premier said, we catch villains.