Kalangadoo Police Station

Mr ODENWALDER (Elizabeth) (14:34): Supplementary question to the Minister for Police: when will the government deliver on its promise to reopen the Kalangadoo Police Station?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA (Hartley—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services) (14:34): Well, it has been a while since I have had a question from the member for Elizabeth, so I am delighted to talk a little bit about—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: —the regional review. As I have alluded to—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for West Torrens is called to order.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, minister! The member for Hammond!

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: In the spirit of bipartisanship today, we offered the member for Elizabeth a ride to the Police Academy and I knew that bipartisanship would only last for about an hour, but here we are. In relation to the Kalangadoo Police Station, there are certainly no draft recommendations regarding the opening or the closure of any police station. Obviously, SAPOL—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: —continues to undertake—

Members interjecting:

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

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: —a regional review. Obviously, the global pandemic has presented many challenges.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for West Torrens!

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: The global pandemic—

The SPEAKER: Minister—

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Yes, Mr Speaker.

The SPEAKER: Minister, you have the call.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Thank you, Mr Speaker, for your protection. You are doing an excellent job up there. I know it's not an easy job. I know that sometimes I would have liked one of those vests, let me tell you, when I was up there. SAPOL continue to do that body of work that is the regional review. Of course, the COVID pandemic has led to some delays, but that body of work will continue to be undertaken. I remind members that since coming into government—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Elizabeth is warned. The member for Elizabeth!

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: —we have invested an additional new $270 million in additional funding. As I said, the police budget is now around $1 billion—an all-time high since we came in to government. Of course, there is a range of other measures being spent like the $34.9 million—

Mr Brown interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Playford!

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: —investment in the Mobile Workforce Transformation Program. That will actually ensure that frontline officers can actually spend less time behind a desk and more time on the beat.

Mr ODENWALDER: Point of order.

The SPEAKER: Minister, please be seated. There is a point of order. I will hear the point of order under 134. Please identify the point of order, member for Elizabeth.

Mr ODENWALDER: The point of order is 98, sir.

The SPEAKER: Very well.

Mr ODENWALDER: The question was very clear. I asked the minister: when will the government deliver on its promise to reopen Kalangadoo Police Station? I am sure the member for MacKillop would like to hear the answer.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: I am not going to be dictated to by those—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: —who close down stations like the Newton Police Station.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The level of excitement is reaching disorderly levels. Standing order 98: minister, I draw your attention to the substance of the question.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: With respect, sir, I think I have completed my answer. Thank you.

The SPEAKER: Very well.