TEACHERS, INDUSTRIAL ACTION

The Hon. SANDRA KANCK (15:35): I seek leave to make an explanation before asking the Minister for Police questions about the government's refusal to allow teachers to march down King William Street today.

Leave granted.

The Hon. SANDRA KANCK: I read in last Thursday's Advertiser that some marchers between Victoria Square and Parliament House would be banned on the grounds of safety. The Advertiser reported that the ban relates to the tram line extension and safety issues but that major events such as the Christmas Pageant or celebration parades would be exempt from the ban. My office contacted SAPOL for clarification and was told that each request to march was subject to a risk assessment and that they would obviously not close off King William Street for 'three men and a dog'. I understand that, today, something like 8,000 teachers marched—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. SANDRA KANCK: Was it 10,000? I understand that 8,000 was the police estimate, which is usually an underestimate. A large number of teachers marched today but were refused permission to march down King William Street. Those many thousands of teachers could hardly be placed in the category of 'three men and a dog'. I know that, over the 30 years or so that I have been in rallies from Victoria Square to Parliament House, on a number of occasions when it has been small numbers, we have still marched down, and the police have blocked off just one lane and allowed the other two lanes to continue to travel at a reduced speed. My questions to the minister are:

1. Why were the teachers not allowed to march down King William Street today?

2. Will other political rallies and marches be permitted?

3. Will other large events that require the closure of King William Street, such as tickertape parades for returning Olympians, a premiership winning Port or Crows team, or soldiers returning from Iraq or some other tour of duty, be permitted?

4. If these other events are to be allowed, can the minister outline the criteria that will be used to make an assessment about which rallies are to be permitted?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Police, Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning) (15:38): It is not a question for the state government to determine. It is up to the city council to determine what marches happen; it is the council's prerogative. Apparently, as I understand it, the city council seeks the advice of the police. It seeks SAPOL advice on safety and risk, but it is a matter entirely for the city council. If, in fact, the existence of trams has changed the police assessment, I am sure that there are other routes through the city. The May Day procession found an alternative route; so there are alternatives. It is really a matter that the honourable member should take up with the Adelaide City Council because it is its decision.