South Australia Police

Ms LUETHEN (King) (14:30): My question is to the Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services. Can the minister please update the house on how the Marshall Liberal government has supported South Australia Police since the last election?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA (Hartley—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services) (14:30): I thank the member for King—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for West Torrens! The minister has the call.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: —for the question. We absolutely have supported South Australia Police extensively since the 2018 state election. Today, I was joined by the member for Elizabeth at the Police Academy, where we just welcomed our newest group of candidates, Course 49, who graduated today, and we wish them well in their careers, of course. May they be a long and successful bunch of careers.

In terms of police station hours, we know that we have not only restored but also expanded on police station hours in a number of stations. We won't talk about how those opposite left those stations. When you look at Henley Beach Police Station in the member for Colton's electorate or the Norwood Police Station in the member for Dunstan's electorate—

Members interjecting:

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

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: —or even the Glenelg Police Station in the member for Morphett's electorate—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Playford!

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: —not only have we restored those opening hours but also expanded those opening hours. No-one could have predicted the global pandemic—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Minister for Transport is called to order.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: —that is COVID-19 and the way it would have impacted our state or indeed the world. Can I say, as minister I'm extremely grateful and proud to be the Minister for Police, to watch these men and women, their hard work and their dedication, and how they have served our state enormously well.

We know at some points in the pandemic there have been over 600 police, in fact, who have served us in relation to COVID-related duties—all in all, at least 350 each and every day. We recognise the burden that load has borne on some of those officers. Not only have they had to conduct excellence in their operational day-to-day roles but also in dealing with the pandemic. That's why, having recognised that burden, we have invested almost an additional $100 million to make sure that we pour that into SAPOL in response to the pandemic, doing things like bringing forward the recruitment of cadets and also PSOs and accelerating recruitment wherever we can.

It is also really important that we continue to protect those who protect us. That's why, after much delay from the former government, where these things weren't committed to, we have unveiled and unrolled over 2,000 stab-proof, bullet-resistant vests, and 2,600 have been fitted—they are bullet resistant and stab resistant—at a cost of $8½ million. They are going to be vital for—

Members interjecting:

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

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: —the protection of our officers who are on the frontline because we know, unfortunately, when some run out of situations, our officers have to run into them, so it's vital they have the protection needed to keep themselves safe.

We have unveiled our Security Response Section, which continues to respond to dynamic incidents. We have committed $34.9 million also in relation to the mobile workplace transformation plan. Once that is rolled out, that's going to save 30 minutes per shift per officer. That is absolutely fantastic for SAPOL officers to work more efficiently.

For the first time ever Crime Stoppers has received state government funding—the first time in our state's history—with $800,000 over four years, which is going to go a long way towards helping SAPOL be the eyes and ears to help stop crime. There is an additional $270 million in new investment and a budget of around $1 billion for South Australia Police.