Police Media Conference

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:18): My question is to the Minister for Police. Why did the minister refuse to confirm or deny he had spoken with SAPOL in relation to the proposed media conference? At a media conference on 20 May, the police minister was asked, 'Did you or anyone else in the government that you know of have a discussion with the police today about this issue?' The minister said, 'I have discussions with police all the time.' The minister was asked today. The minister said, 'Yeah, I have discussions with police all the time.' The minister was asked, 'So you spoke to police?' The minister said, 'I have discussions with police all the time.' The minister was asked, 'No, specifically today?' The minister said, 'Yeah, I have discussions with police all the time.'

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: Point of order.

The SPEAKER: Point of order. We will hear the point of order.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: This is a gross abuse of the privilege of leave and leave is withdrawn.

The SPEAKER: Leave is withdrawn for the explanation. Would you like to rephrase the question?

Mr MALINAUSKAS: With a variation on his words, can the minister explain why he refuses to confirm or deny that he asked police to do a media conference on 20 May?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: Point of order: that is not a statement; that is poor debate.

The SPEAKER: I think there was a question asked. Minister.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD (Gibson—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:20): I can't believe that question is even being asked in that manner. It is an embarrassment. Anyway—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: I will give you the same answer that I gave you before.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The minister will be heard in silence. Give him a go to answer.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: SAPOL made their own decision to have their own press conference. They agreed with our policy to trial light armoured vests and we will deliver on that policy.