Commissioner for Victims' Rights

Mr KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (14:28): My question is to the acting—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for West Torrens will ask his question in silence so I can hear it, thank you.

Mr KOUTSANTONIS: Thank you, sir, for your protection. My question is to the Acting Attorney-General. How will the Marshall government respond to a petition on change.org that calls on the government to review the sacking of the Commissioner for Victims' Rights, Mr Michael O'Connell?

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education) (14:28): The Commissioner for Victims' Rights was not, to use the shadow minister's word, sacked. The Commissioner for Victims' Rights' term expired on 16 July. There was a merit-based selection process undertaken. The name of Bronwyn Killmier should be held in the highest regard by the people of South Australia. She has been a trailblazing police officer, one of our first female assistant commissioners of police.

She is our first female Commissioner for Victims' Rights. She is a significant South Australian, a woman of great capacity and merit, and I believe she is an excellent appointment. This side of the house believes that she is an excellent appointment, and we are confident that she is going to do a great job. She will serve the people of South Australia and, most importantly, those victims she will come into contact with she will provide support to and she will provide service to. She will serve them well.

We have confidence in her to do that work. We know that she will do a great job. We look forward to seeing her do a great job, and I hope that all members of this house will support her in those endeavours so that the victims of crime here in South Australia will not see the commissioner who will be supporting them undermined by any member of this parliament.