ROBINSON, MR S.A.

The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE (15:11): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Leader of the Government a question about responsibility.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE: On 22 April each year, South Australia commemorates the formation of responsible government in South Australia. Winston Churchill once said, 'The price of greatness is responsibility.' Michael Korda, Editor-in-Chief of Simon and Schuster, once said:

Success on any major scale requires you to accept responsibility…In the final analysis, the one quality that all successful people have is the ability to take on responsibility.

Today I have been listening (when I can) to the radio and ministers of the crown who have been pointing fingers this way and that about the recent disgraceful acts of the late Shane Andrew Robinson and the tragedy for the victims of his offending. Whilst Mr Robinson's offending stretches back to his time as a youth, I note that the offending for which Robinson was on parole was a seven year gaol term for a hostage situation and crime committed on 30 April 2002, early in the seven year life of this government. I also note that, in a media release launching the last election in 2006, the Premier stated proudly:

…for the first time in the State's history, we stood up to the Parole Board and refused the release of notorious murderers like Stephen McBride.

My questions are:

1. Why is the government pointing blame at the Parole Board, the police and the courts but not taking any responsibility itself?

2. Put another way, can the government identify any area in this matter where it must take responsibility for the Robinson matter and parole in South Australia and act now?

3. Does the government have confidence in the Parole Board and the Parole Board presiding officer?

4. Will the government initiate an immediate public inquiry for full reform of the parole process to ensure proper resources, proper rehabilitation of offenders and justice for victims of crime?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (15:13): I noted the comments at the weekend of the police commissioner, and I would think most South Australians would agree with his comments. A police officer was shot by this individual, as I understand it, and he, quite rightly, questioned the decisions that had been made by the Parole Board in relation to the release of that prisoner, and I can only support the comments of the police commissioner—

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: Why wasn't he arrested when the Parole Board asked for him to be arrested? Not enough government resources!

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: There you have the answer relating to the second part of the question about who was criticising the police. I have not seen the criticism, but we have heard criticism and obviously members opposite have been criticising the police in relation to that matter. Let us get it on the record that I am certainly not criticising the police and I am not aware of any of my colleagues who have a closer responsibility in relation to these matters than me doing so. It is apparent the opposition do—

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway interjecting:

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: We heard the interjection from the shadow minister for police, quite voluntarily, about why the police did not do it. If somebody is released on parole, it is rather unfair to blame the police as there may be all sorts of reasons why they cannot make an arrest.

To get back to the fundamental question, this government will accept responsibility for those things for which its responsible. It is this parliament that passes the laws that govern how bodies operate. What about some of the members opposite accepting responsibility for the many amendments they make to legislation? You cannot have it both ways. You cannot refuse government legislation or amend it in a way to make it ineffective and then turn around and blame the government.

This government will not accept responsibility for that. When we have legislation that is amended by those opposite, why should we accept responsibility for their decisions? This government will accept responsibility for those matters that are within its jurisdiction. I thank the honourable member for his question, but members opposite and not this government have raised the question of criticism of the police.