Thebarton Police Barracks

Mr TELFER (Flinders) (14:40): My question is to the Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services. Will the Courts Administration Authority release land near the Supreme Court building for a staging area and, if so, when? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr TELFER: FIVEaa reported yesterday:

We understand the following, and it comes from a good source inside the courts. The Supreme Court Administration is refusing to release land at the rear of the Supreme Court building meaning that the promised staging area will no longer be possible.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS (Cheltenham—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services) (14:41): I appreciate that the work ethic of the opposition is famous in South Australia, but clearly the member was asleep some 15 minutes after that rumour was put to air and didn't hear me on FIVEaa confirming unequivocally that the staging area would be proceeding at the courts.

If my word wasn't enough, he could have changed the dial to the ABC who quoted directly from the Chief Justice himself who confirmed to David Bevan, the presenter of 891, some 20 minutes after the member for Flinders got his corker for today that the city staging area would be proceeding: it would be supported by the courts. The member for Flinders would do well to do a bit of work in the mornings rather than shifting the dial to FIVEaa or 891.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for West Torrens, order! Member for Badcoe—in fact, the second.