Police Mounted Operations Unit

Mr BATTY (Bragg) (14:53): My question is to the Minister for Police. Is the SAPOL Mounted Operations Unit city staging area project complete? If not, what location is being used as a staging area in the interim?

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN (Kavel—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Special Minister of State) (14:53): I thank the shadow minister for this important question. It is necessary to provide a degree of context, and I note too that the shadow minister had asked a similar question in the context of the Auditor-General's examination. Of course, in that context it roamed terrain which was well outside of the time period for the examination of those matters.

The new permanent home for the Mounted Operations Unit and, of course, also for the Dog Operations Unit—the Dog Operations Unit is relevant, for reasons which I will touch on momentarily—is, of course, at Gepps Cross. The delivery of construction works at Gepps Cross has been delivered in stages. The important investment there has been necessary in consequence of the fact that this is a government that is delivering a very necessary and very important health project to ensure that there is adequate health infrastructure for South Australia for many years to come.

The Mounted Operations Unit relocated from the Thebarton barracks to Gepps Cross over the period of 19 September 2024 to 24 September 2024, I am advised. The unit commenced—I must say I have had the opportunity to inspect the Gepps Cross location. It is fit for purpose. It is an important investment, one that I must say would seem to be more fit for purpose than the arrangements that were in place, of course, at the site which is now being redeveloped for health purposes.

I think it is right to provide a little bit of colour and detail, that the police commissioner had indicated that the previous arrangements for the Mounted Operations Unit were like holding a—

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Point of order: standing order 98 requires the minister get to the substance of the question, which was about the staging area.

The SPEAKER: I think he's getting there. I am quite interested in the answer. There's some dogs, some horses. I think we are going to be at that staging area pretty quickly, I think. If members on my left can just remain silent for a little bit longer, hopefully the minister will get to the point.

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: I understand that members of the opposition are so enthusiastic about this subject that it would be remiss of me not to observe that, of course, accommodation will be provided for other business units at Gepps Cross as well. I think by way of context it's necessary for me to remark that in fact there are 15—

The Hon. N.D. Champion: Fifteen business units.

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: Fifteen business units, says my cabinet colleague observer, that are part of the reinvestment.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: I have been encouraged to reflect on certain of those business units.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: I do understand that the shadow minister for emergency services is, indeed, very enthusiastic about certain of these other business units, but with respect to the overall project, it is necessary for me to observe that DIT is managing the construction. Scope refinement and value management is continuing to occur as these projects progress into the construction phase. I know that—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: Don't tempt me. I am following very closely the Speaker's direction. I know that these matters are important to all present in terms of the commissioning and final construction. I undertake to bring an answer back.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Time is up, minister. Resume your seat. You're starting to sound like Daryl Braithwaite on the left.