Riverland Community Justice Centre

Mr TEAGUE (Heysen) (15:09): My question is to the Attorney-General. Can the Attorney provide an update on the numbers of locals and those in need using the newly re-established Riverland Community Justice Centre?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General) (15:09): I thank the member for Heysen for the question. It is a very important initiative that the new government has reinstated in the Riverland and, in particular, at Berri. It was pleasing to attend, with the Minister for Primary Industries (member for Chaffey), in Berri last year the reopening of the Riverland Community Justice Centre, which the previous government had closed. They thought that it was adequate and satisfactory for the people of the Riverland region living in the towns of Renmark, Berri, Barmera and Loxton to have to travel to Christies Beach to get legal services, or they could get it by telephone—but that was it. That was adequate for the former government but it wasn't adequate for us.

We made a commitment to reinstate the service. In December last year, I had the pleasure of attending the reinstatement of a full-time, on the ground, legal community service for the Riverland. In January this year, I'm pleased to say, 40 legal advice services were provided out of the office in Berri, a staggering increase in service appointments that, under the previous government, totalled 16 the year before, a 150 per cent increase in services in the region compared to last year. On this side of the house we are very proud that this service has been reinstated. There were a number of people in attendance to celebrate and welcome the return of that service.

Berri is a significant regional town, which also has a courthouse, a police station and a number of other agencies, including Relationships Australia, the Department for Correctional Services and SAPOL, all of whom provide services to the regional community in real time, with real people at real places. This is what the people of these regions deserve. This is what the people of these regions need, this is what they require, this is what they have sought, and this is what we have given them.