South Australia Police Mental Health Support

Mr BATTY (Bragg) (14:40): My question is again to the Minister for Police. Can the minister guarantee that all SAPOL employees who are required to receive an annual psychological review have received their review this year?

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN (Kavel—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Special Minister of State) (14:40): Thank you, and I appreciate this important question. There can be occasions on which officers, I am advised, have not completed their psychological assessment. I am advised that often that does not arise necessarily from the oversight of operational managers, who are encouraging people to engage in the psychological assessment processes that may be necessary, but instead, in the course of employment and taskings, sometimes these matters cannot be completed. I am advised, however, that South Australia Police places a significant emphasis on completing psychological assessments and I will seek additional advice and return to the house with precise up-to-date information—

Mr Telfer interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Flinders! Have you got a ticket on the earlier plane back to Lincoln? If not, be quiet and you can stay in here.

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: However, I will undertake to the house to ensure that I bring back to the house the exact information as to the number of officers who as at the relevant date have not completed the psychological assessment. Allow me, however, to reflect further on the additional psychological support that is available. On an earlier occasion I was invited to reflect on a specific case and I think I was able to inform the house that each academy recruit course has support, through a central point of contact, for those recruits during academy training and then as probationary constables, in terms of their mental health support.

Can I also inform the house that South Australia Police members have access to a wellbeing program which has been developed in collaboration with Flinders University, as well assisting the Metropolitan Fire Service and the Country Fire Service. The program protecting emergency responders, with evidence-based interventions, is an evidence-based approach to building sustainable resilience and wellbeing. Of course, with a focus on prevention and early intervention the program is specifically designed for South Australia Police members in their first five years of service, covering key areas critical to maintaining good mental health.

I think that members can rightly infer from the information that I have shared with the house that the agency is taking early intervention right from the academy training process to ensure that South Australia Police officers—

Mr Telfer interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Flinders can leave until the end of question time. You have been calling out nonstop during this entire answer, an answer that is very important to all members of the house.

The honourable member for Flinders having withdrawn from the chamber:

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN: As I say, there is a focus from the agency appropriately on ensuring that every South Australia Police cadet, and subsequently constable, has access at a very early stage in their career—in the first five years—to comprehensive support. It is necessary not only to provide that support but also to ensure that a workforce is aware of the support available, and to ensure that from a cultural perspective accessing that support is something that people are aware of and prepared to do from the first days of their career. I must say, in terms of that operational focus and emphasis, it is appropriate that that support be put in place immediately.