Police Protection Vests

Mr ODENWALDER (Elizabeth) (15:13): My question is again to the Minister for Police. Has SAPOL's trial of stab-proof and ballistic vests, as outlined by the minister, concluded? If not, when is it set to conclude?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD (Gibson—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (15:14): I thank the member for the question. I don't have the exact time line of the project with me. What we are doing, and what the previous government didn't do—in fact, the leader was heavily involved in this, really, and probably failed to deliver anything—

The SPEAKER: There is a point of order.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: This is clearly debate, sir.

The SPEAKER: I have the point of order. My ruling is this: in any answer of this type, I will allow some preamble, but I expect the minister to get to the point pretty quickly, as he did in the former answer. I'm going to expect the same in this one, but I will be listening quietly to ensure that he sticks to the substance of the question. The member for Elizabeth will be seated. The minister has the call. I will be listening.

Ms Hildyard interjecting:

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: The member for Reynell interjects. She doesn't like talking to people apparently. She doesn't believe in having a conversation, which I find quite fascinating.

The SPEAKER: Please do not respond to interjections and please do not interject.

Mr Malinauskas: You said you don't know. You can sit down.

The SPEAKER: The Leader of the Opposition is on the edge today. He's on two.

Ms Hildyard interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Reynell is called to order.

Mr Odenwalder interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Elizabeth, I ask that the minister be heard in silence.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. As I was saying, I need to brief the Leader of the Opposition because I don't think he followed this whilst he was in the portfolio. What I was saying about the trial and what is being looked at—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: I'm listening to the answer.

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —in the trial—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —is what are the right vests for South Australia and that's what is important for the South Australian police force. So what we are going to do—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —instead of rushing through a one-page piece of legislation or doing something that is not given proper process—that is the way they operate on that side. You might have picked this up by now. They just slap stuff together and try to make a whole heap of noise instead of actually doing things properly. What we are going to do is make sure we get the right vests—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —for the South Australian police. We are going through that process, absolutely, because we know that what they need in Coober Pedy may not be what they need in Victor Harbor because there are big climatic differences there.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: We want to get the best technology we can for our South Australian police. Those on that side may not care. 'Just give them whatever.' That may be the way they operate, but it's not good enough for us. It's not good enough on this side, so we are going through the process as I have—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: —outlined in this house many, many times before. When it has concluded, I will let the opposition know.