Police and Community Engagement Forums

Mr RAU (Enfield) (15:06): Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER Order!

Mr RAU: My question is to the Minister for Police. Given the State Records Act provisions, did your staff member keep their notes from the southern suburbs forum?

An honourable member interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The minister will be heard in silence for the last 30 seconds. Minister.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD (Gibson—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (15:06): I appreciate the question from the member. That is very kind of you, and not to ask her name is even better. I do appreciate the question. My staff member will have taken notes, and we have discussed those notes. Have I seen a handwritten copy of those notes? No, but I am happy to give those to the house, provide them to the house, as is needed or wanted.

I notice that the member for West Torrens has put out there and perhaps intimated that I didn't actually send someone along. I'm hoping that he's just being mischievous in making those accusations because, yes, whilst I refuse to name the person here in this chamber because it's not their wont and they are not an elected member—I am the elected member; I am representing my constituency; and I am the minister and I am taking responsibility for that—I don't need to release their name here in parliament. They are doing their work. I find it—again, I stress one more time—offensive that I would be asked to reveal that person's name, given that they have done a good job and done their job and are not even being questioned as to doing something wrong. Yes, I am happy to look at those notes and return them to the house as deemed fit.

I again commend this staff member for the great work they did and SAPOL for the great work they did with the PACE forum and the PACE community engagement forum that they held in the community and strongly recommend them to everyone. Again, I know previous police ministers sitting on the other side have been involved in these PACE forums. I'm not sure how many they have attended, and I am keen to get more detail on that. I don't think they attended any, actually, from the records that I have. It is great to have the community engaged and the community involved. Again, I commend my staff member for the great work she did.

I do note that, whilst those on the other side came into this place saying they were going to be a very positive opposition, the negativity of the questioning today has been quite outstanding, and yesterday as well. I think the people of South Australia will have a great time listening to what the opposition has to say over a very long four years and they will be looking for more positivity than the negativity they have seen today and yesterday.