APY Lands Visit

Mr KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (15:13): My question is to the Premier. Does he stand by his public remarks that armed elite STAR Force officers did not directly walk around with him on the APY lands but were simply stationed there? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

The SPEAKER: Is leave granted?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Leave is not granted, member for West Torrens.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (15:13): As I reported to the house earlier this week, I was very pleased and privileged to visit the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara lands last week for almost three days. I was accompanied on that visit to the APY lands by a member of my team and also two journalists. SAPOL did their own independent risk assessment and decided that they would deploy two STAR Force officers on that trip as well.

I would just make the point to the parliament that at no point was I in any way protected on my visit to the APY lands. They were keeping a respectful distance from the meetings that we held. That is a decision that was made by SAPOL officers. It wasn't something that the Premier's department had requested. In fact, it was my ninth visit to the APY lands. I always love going to the APY lands. At no time previously had I had an escort.

I would point out that SAPOL have access to the diary of the Premier, regardless of who the Premier is at the time. They form their own risk assessment and determine whether or not—

Mr Koutsantonis: You said they didn't accompany you and they were just stationed there.

The SPEAKER: The member for West Torrens is on one warning.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —they will be present at that time. I very much enjoyed the visit. I thank the STAR Force officers who were present on the lands while I was there, not only for their work on that visit but, most importantly, for the important work they do here in our state.