POLICE STATIONS, NEW

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN (14:49): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Police a question about the government's election commitment for three new police stations.

Leave granted.

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN: We are all aware that upholding the law and maintaining public order is part of the essential public services on which South Australians rely. Preventing crime continues to be a high priority for this government, and the most effective way to do this is with a highly visible police force. Will the minister provide details of two new police stations that have just opened in the eastern and northern suburbs of Adelaide?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Police, Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning) (14:50): I thank the honourable member for his question and for his ongoing concern about law-and-order matters. Since coming to office, the Rann government has taken a strong position on crime for which we make no apology. The government's—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: We do not make an apology; no. I think the lot over there should make apologies, Mr President, but this government does not make any. The government's overriding goal has been to make our state a safer place where people do not just feel safer but objectively are safer. We are doing this by providing police with the tools they need to do their job.

The government has increased resources for law and order in every budget since coming to office. I will repeat that: in six Rann government budgets, resources for law and order have increased. In stark contrast, the Liberals presided over a significant reduction in the number of uniformed officers in the state and closed police stations. In the 2006-07 budget—

The Hon. R.I. Lucas: That's untrue.

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: It certainly was true in the early days. If you look over the eight years it is a very sad and sorry story. What was it? In the mid-90s it dropped to just 3,400 police officers. In the 2006-07 budget, we allocated $1.27 million in new funding for the setting up and operation of new shopfront police stations to be located in the areas of Hallett Cove, Campbelltown and Munno Para.

The establishment of these new police stations reinforces the government's commitment to building safer communities right across South Australia and to ensuring police have the resources they need to carry out their important work. I am pleased to announce that two of those three stations are now open for business. The Newton Police Station, located near the Newton Shopping Centre at Shop 7, 94 Gorge Road, Newton, and the Blakeview Police Station, located opposite the Munno Para Shopping Centre, at Shop 4, 4 Main North Road, Blakeview opened their doors to the public yesterday morning.

The opening of these two new stations will significantly boost the police presence in those suburbs and the surrounding areas. I can also advise the chamber that a suitable location has been found for the Hallett Cove Police Station. This station will be located at the Hallett Cove Shopping Centre. Sketched designs for this station are being prepared and are currently being assessed. Following the finalisation of sketch plans, documentation and tender, the works will be initiated. An assessment of the likely procurement and construction time frames indicates an estimated opening date of late July 2008.

In 2006, the new Golden Grove police complex opened for business. The opening of the Golden Grove Police Station was the first time that area had its own dedicated police patrol base since 1997 when the Liberals closed the St Agnes patrol base. Patrols based at Para Hills Police Station were relocated to the new Golden Grove Police Station, and the Para Hills station, which was well past its use by date, was closed. The Para Hills station will be replaced with a brand new station known as the Pooraka Police Station. The station will serve the suburbs of Para Hills, Pooraka, Ingle Farm and surrounding areas. The Pooraka Police Station is currently being fitted out and will be located at the Montague Farm Shopping Centre. An assessment of the construction time frame indicates an estimated opening date of late July 2008.

There is no doubt that high visibility police enforcement is the most effective way to prevent crime. This means more police on the beat and better resources for our police. The opening of these new stations is part of an extensive building program which has delivered tangible benefits to the state, including new court houses in Port Pirie and Port Augusta; new police stations at Victor Harbor, Gawler, Aldinga, Mount Barker and Golden Grove; and new combined police and court complexes in Berri and Port Lincoln—all in the six years of this government. Soon, we will see the commencement of an upgrade to the Christies Beach Police Station and the Fort Largs Police Academy, which has not been touched for 50 years or more. The government has long recognised—

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: Well, where do you think Victor Harbor, Berri and Port Lincoln are? The government has long recognised that to do their job well our police need the best possible facilities. This is in clear contrast to the Liberal Party, which had a track record of closing police stations. The Liberals will never understand what it takes to appropriately resource South Australia Police.

We are not stopping with our commitment to providing our men and women police officers with the best possible facilities. The town of Roxby Downs is set to expand rapidly due to the mining boom currently being experienced in South Australia. The Rann government has allocated $8 million to expand the police facility in the town to accommodate an additional 23 officers, with a further $4.4 million allocated to meet employee housing, transport and location costs. We are also investing $9.5 million to replace the police station at Murray Bridge. This government's investment in police resources has reaped great rewards.

South Australia Police statistics show that in 2002-03 there were a total of 200,640 offences against person and property reported. In 2006-07, there were only 164,167 offences. That equates to 36,000 fewer offences since we came to government. So, it is very clear that more police on the beat, a better resourced police force and tougher laws equals a safer South Australia.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! I have a question: perhaps the President could be issued with a new Smith & Wesson to keep some order in here!