House of Assembly: Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Contents

Drone Activity

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA (Hartley) (15:11): My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Has the federal transport minister, Catherine King, discussed with the minister the matter of dangerous drone activities near Adelaide Airport? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Information provided to the opposition under freedom of information laws revealed that CASA has received complaints about dangerous drone activity near Adelaide Airport, identified through footage that may have been published on the minister's X account (formerly Twitter) on 14 April 2023.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Energy and Mining) (15:12): What my young friend is talking about is drone footage of Greek Easter. There was a Greek Easter procession around St George church.

The Hon. D.J. Speirs: No, he is talking about illegal behaviour.

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: No, Christianity is not illegal behaviour.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: The procession was around the church. There was drone footage made available. I don't know if it was legal or illegal. I was not responsible for organising the drone footage. If members opposite are trying to make such an insinuation, make it. I have no evidence that that drone footage is inappropriate or illegal. I don't know if that footage was taken at a time outside the operation of the curfew or within the operation of the curfew, or whether or not they had permission. I don't know, but what I will do now is ask my officers to check.

I will also inform the local community about the opposition's questions about this drone footage. They are run by volunteers. I am not even sure if the volunteers knew about the drone footage, but I will go about and find it. I am not sure who sent it to me. I thought it was quite interesting. Of course, if it was inappropriate or illegal that is a different question, but I have no evidence that it was. If my young friend does have evidence that it was inappropriate or illegal, I look forward to seeing that evidence here in the house and of course I will act on it.