Adelaide Football Club and Emergency Services Partnership

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL (Mawson) (14:26): My question is to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services. Can the minister inform the house about the government's new partnership with the Adelaide Football Club to thank emergency services personnel and to promote recruitment?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS (Cheltenham—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services) (14:27): I am delighted to answer the member for Mawson's question and acknowledge his strong advocacy on behalf of our emergency services here in South Australia, and he is a great and avid sports fan to boot. The community is incredibly supportive and mindful of the contribution that our emergency services and police make on a daily basis. We have had numerous discussions, debates and contributions from members in this place just this year about the impact that our emergency services and police have made on the support of our community in response to flooding in our River Murray communities.

During that event, we saw not only the contribution and the sacrifices that our emergency services made but also the innate ability for our agencies to work together, to work with and for our community. That is why on Tuesday I was so delighted to announce with the Chief Executive of the Adelaide Football Club, the Adelaide Crows, a partnership that will recognise, celebrate and promote volunteering and careers in our emergency services.

It was not just Tim Silvers, the Chief Executive of the Adelaide Crows I was with; I was also with Reilly O'Brien, the ruck for the Crows and, sir, they were buoyed—they were buoyed from a great win last weekend. There are a few members in this place who share my eagerness—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: —a few in this place who share my eagerness to see the Crows succeed on and off the field this year.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: The government on Tuesday—and I was so pleased to announce an emergency services match, the first of its kind and the first of what will be a three-year partnership, a minimum three-year partnership, between the government of South Australia and the Adelaide Crows. This first match will kick off at 4pm on Saturday 10 June with the blockbuster of Adelaide v West Coast at the fantastic Adelaide Oval.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: It's hotly contested; at least, it will be hotly contested. There will be 3,000 free tickets made available to our frontline heroes, our emergency services volunteers and staff, and I am advised that they have already been greatly appreciated and hotly contested in the uptake so far. Not only will there be 3,000 free tickets for our frontline heroes but there will also be additional tickets made available at a discounted rate for them to bring guests or partners.

There is no doubt a plethora of individuals who want to get along to a Crows game, so these will be hotly contested. These tickets will also enable recipients to access a further game during the 2023 AFL premiership season.

The Hon. L.W.K. Bignell interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The minister has the call.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: It is entirely improper to respond to interjections, sir, but the member for Mawson did indicate his support for the exceptional work the Crows have been doing on field this year. This is a great start, and I know that I join with other members of this place in wanting to see it expand and grow in future years.

There is never a better time to put your hand up to either volunteer or choose a career in our police or our fire and rescue services. There is a job or a volunteering spot for everybody; in fact, a number of members of this place have themselves chosen to volunteer.

This is a great game. It is going to be a great day, and I am so proud that we can stand as a state and support our volunteers.