Ministerial Statement

High-Risk Incident, Crystal Brook

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Premier) (14:01): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: I rise to update the house on a serious incident that has occurred this morning involving South Australia Police. South Australia Police have confirmed that they have responded to an incident at Crystal Brook. Paramedics have attended the scene after reports of multiple people being injured. I have been advised that two officers have been injured after an incident with an alleged offender. The alleged offender has been shot and is deceased.

This is obviously an evolving situation and will be difficult news for the South Australian community to absorb. I have been briefed on the incident by the police commissioner this afternoon. South Australia Police has also undertaken to update the public as new information becomes available.

Our frontline police do an inherently difficult and dangerous job each day when they go to work. They exercise this duty with courage and bravery. My thoughts and, I am sure, those of all members are with these two officers and their families. I would like to extend our thoughts and our well-wishes to the wider SAPOL family and all the officers who work so hard to keep our community safe.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

The SPEAKER: I understand we may be turning to the Minister for Police, on indulgence.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS (Cheltenham—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services) (14:03): On indulgence, I further add that I have been briefed on this matter by the police commissioner and extended the support and any assistance necessary of the government of South Australia to the families through the Police Association.

I have also recently been in contact and spoken personally with the member for Stuart, the local member for the area, who I have also expressed support with. Of course, this is an incident that will impact all of South Australia but is having an particularly acute impact on the community of Crystal Brook.

This is a reminder of the inherent dangers that policing has. It reminds us all in this place—not that we need reminding—that every day that police go to work is a day that they may face danger. In saying that, never should this type of horrific action and this horrific violence be envisaged, and nor should we ever accept it as a community.