POLICE UNIFORMS

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (15:00): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Leader of the Government, representing the Minister for Police, a question about frontline police uniforms.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS: In last month's issue of the Police Journal several members of the police force were asked to provide their opinion on the current front-line uniform. It was described as impractical, uncomfortable and not user-friendly, amongst other things. The shadow minister for police, the Hon. David Ridgway, and myself have had precisely the same feedback from police officers we have talked to about this issue over a long period.

The consistent message is that the current uniform is acceptable for ceremonial occasions or for those doing desk jobs but is totally impractical for today's front-line police work, where lightweight cargo-style pants and shirts would be far more efficient. This sort of apparel, which is being used in other jurisdictions along with baseball-style caps and polar fleece jackets, seems the best and most practical way to go in modern policing. My questions are:

1. Has the minister discussed this important issue with the police commissioner?

2. Can the minister advise whether the groundswell of support from our police for new front-line uniforms will be heeded?

Given that until recently the leader was the police minister, he may wish to comment himself.

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (15:02): I will certainly make one comment, and that is that the Hon. Mr Stephens seems to have a preoccupation with what our police wear and carry. This government's concern has been to protect the safety of our police force, and we believe in safety in numbers. That is why the size of the police force has grown from 3,400 in the mid 1990s to well over 4,000 at present.

This government believes that the best way it can guarantee the safety of our wonderful police force is by increasing the numbers of police; however, I am happy to refer the question to the minister in another place and obtain information regarding what is happening with uniforms. Clearly, from time to time it does make sense to change police uniforms consistent with current—

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway interjecting:

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: That is right; think of all the things—new weapons, including the tasers that we are trialling. What is more, there are new laws. Above all else, we have given police the laws they need. Look at DNA. South Australia leads the country in relation to that, and in relation to bikie legislation and the like. I think we have given police—

The Hon. B.V. Finnigan: Malcolm Turnbull says that they should have our bikie legislation; he's all for it.

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: Indeed, he does. In law and order, as in so many things, South Australia is setting the pace.