POLICE, SUPER LOCAL SERVICE AREAS

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (14:24): I have a supplementary question. Is it the government's intention to continue with a proposal to have the entire Murraylands and Riverland regions incorporated and to have communities as diverse as Policeman's Point and Yamba in the same region? Will it be headquartered at Berri or Murray Bridge?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Police, Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning) (14:24): There has been a lot of misinformation in relation to what is happening. I know that issue has been raised for some time. We have indicated that the importance of the Murray Bridge Police Station will continue. Indeed, as I indicated yesterday, we are spending $9.5 million to upgrade the Murray Bridge Police Station. In fact, as a result of government upgrading to so many other police stations, it is probably the worst in the state. That is why it is next in line for an upgrade.

Those matters are being considered, but certainly there will not be any changes to boundaries that will lead to any worse service; in fact, it will be to the contrary—we will make changes to regional boundaries and/or police local service area boundaries only if they lead to better services for the people and the staff.