South Australia Police

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light) (14:56): My question is to the Minister for Police. Can the minister please update the house on recent investments into our police?

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee—Treasurer, Minister for Defence and Space Industries, Minister for Police) (14:56): I thank the member for Light for his question, because he is a strong advocate not only for his community and the communities surrounding but also for greater investment into the police for the northern suburbs. I was very, very pleased to be with the member for Light as well as representatives from South Australia Police to inspect some of the premises that we have that police operate from in the northern suburbs. I was able to visit not only the police station at Gawler but particularly the one at Two Wells.

Unfortunately, unlike the police station at Gawler, the police station at Two Wells needs some work. The great news is that there has been a commitment for additional investment to upgrade the police station at Two Wells—$1.6 million. The reason why is because the number of sworn officers operating from Two Wells is now to increase from three officers to seven officers—more policing resources protecting the community of the northern suburbs—just what the community has wanted.

Of course, this comes on top of the more than $330 million that this government has committed into our police force over the last three years since coming to government, in stark contrast to the $50 million of cuts that were imposed on South Australia Police by those opposite.

Mr Batty interjecting:

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: I understand the newest member to the parliament, who has just parachuted in in a by-election, says—

Mr Batty interjecting:

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: No, you parachuted in in a by-election. In fact, I remember, like the rest of the electors of Bragg, meeting the member for Bragg on that by-election day. It was that community's first introduction to him, and he said, 'See you in parliament, Mullers.' That is the attitude that those opposite bring to this place. It's not a privilege; it's an entitlement for them. What an extraordinary position to take by the shadow minister for nine portfolios, who complains about others allegedly being part-time! He is so popular.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: This is the party that releases law and order policy, only to be immediately criticised by the police commissioner. What an embarrassment, not once but twice—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: Why would I be careful? Are you going to come up with some decent policy? No, unlikely. There is a lot to learn for those opposite.

I am also pleased to advise the house that we are ramping up the recruitment, because from 2018 to 2022, over the four years they were in government, there were 144 officer reductions in sworn police officers. We have got those back and we are continuing to recruit more.