Crime Stoppers SA

Mr ODENWALDER (Elizabeth) (15:36): My question is again to the Minister for Police. Did the minister personally inform Crime Stoppers at any stage that he was cutting its funding? With your leave and that of the house, sir, I will explain.

Leaved granted.

Mr ODENWALDER: In a press release yesterday, Crime Stoppers stated:

The lack of budget allocation comes despite…a number of subsequent briefings with the Minister for Police and his advisers, who have acknowledged the efforts of the highly effective crime-fighting program but do not follow up accolades with action.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD (Gibson—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (15:36): I thank the member for the question. As he pointed out, I have met with Crime Stoppers and spoken to them. But the point he didn't make was that the previous government gave them no money.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: We are giving them exactly the same as they were given from the previous government. They do a great job. We are meeting with them, we are talking with them. If they want to expand their program, we will talk to them into the future. But they will continue to do the job they currently do with the same funding they got from the previous government, and we will support them into the future, making sure they keep delivering the service they are delivering now. We will talk to them about future opportunities along the way.

Mr Odenwalder interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Elizabeth is warned. A supplementary?