House of Assembly Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1) 54 1 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Question Time Police Commissioner Protocol Police Commissioner Protocol Mr MALINAUSKAS House of Assembly Croydon Leader of the Opposition Police Commissioner Protocol Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:21): My question is to the Minister for Police. Has the minister or the Premier met to clarify their position on directing the police commissioner to implement government policy? Yesterday, at 2.42pm, the Premier told the house, and I quote, 'We will be directing the police commissioner.' Then at 2.55pm, the Minister for Police told the house, and I quote, 'I am not going to instruct the police commissioner.' The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: The Premier. Mr Koutsantonis interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: The Premier will be heard in silence. The member for West Torrens will not shout before the Premier answers. The Premier. The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL House of Assembly Dunstan Premier The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:22): Thank you very much, sir, and I thank the leader for his question because it gives me an opportunity to perhaps provide some clarity. Members interjecting: The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER Order! The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL House of Assembly The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: Well, because in August last year, when we released our policy, I said that we would be directing, or in fact I think I used the term 'instructing' (I went back and had a look) the police commissioner to develop a protocol to make sure that our children were not subject to drug sales at school. I think that is a pretty reasonable position to take. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the people of South Australia want that. They don't want their kids going to school— An honourable member interjecting: The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL House of Assembly The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: Well, let me just say that the people of South Australia don't have such a casual attitude towards drugs in schools as maybe some of those opposite. I don't know why they want to come in here defending the drug pushers who go into our schools trying to sell— Mr KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly Mr KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order, sir: this is clearly debate, and it's offensive. The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: I do ask the Premier to return to the substance of the question. The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL House of Assembly The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: And I'm very happy to, sir. The Speaker House of Assembly The SPEAKER: Thank you. The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL House of Assembly The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: As I said yesterday, I reiterated the position that we took to the election that we would, if necessary, direct—or 'instruct' I think was the word—the police. That is not necessary. May I just say that we have a very cooperative relationship with SAPOL, and that will continue.