POLICE RESOURCES

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:41): I have a supplementary question arising out of the answer. The minister said that the government often seeks advice from senior police officers. In that case, does the minister disagree with the South Australian Police Association President, Peter Alexander, who believes that Taser technology is a vital tool for our officers and who has said that he is greatly disappointed to see Taser technology go unsupported in this state?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Police, Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning) (14:42): Taser technology is indeed useful technology, and it has been deployed by the specialist forces (the STAR Group) in this state. As I have said, if the honourable member had been at the association's conference this morning, he would have heard the Commissioner say that the police were currently considering ways in which that technology could be more widely introduced through the force. I have full confidence that the Police Commissioner, who is in regular touch—

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway interjecting:

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: I talk to the Police Association regularly, and I listen to the police force. At the end of the day, the Police Association is debating those and a number of other issues at its Police Association annual conference, as is appropriate. No doubt, I will be meeting with Peter Alexander, Andy Dunne and other members of the Police Association after the conference finishes tomorrow and listening to their views. At the end of the day, the South Australian police force is subject to the direction of the Police Commissioner, and I have full confidence in our Police Commissioner to act in the best interests of the South Australian public and its police force.