Environment and Water Department Wardens

In reply to the Hon. D.J. SPEIRS (Black) (24 June 2024). (Estimates Committee A)

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, Minister for Workforce and Population Strategy): I have been advised of the following:

Wardens appointed under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 are trained through a comprehensive general regulators training, which covers legislation, powers, understanding evidence, note taking, evidence collection, interviewing witnesses, and understanding compliance. This includes using phones and cameras for recording evidence. The training also supports wardens to understand wildlife permits and permit conditions.

In addition, the department’s Investigations and Compliance Unit includes investigation specialists who are wardens and receive additional training in the use of surveillance, covert cameras, GPS instruments, drones and collecting evidence with the use of body worn cameras.

The training is designed for wardens to achieve an outcome of ‘best evidence’ when conducting compliance work and when carrying out investigations. The training is fundamental to how wardens operate.