HANSON ROAD

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (14:46): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the only minister in this place, who represents every minister in the other place, a question regarding illegal activity on Hanson Road in Mansfield Park.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD: A recent article in the Weekly Times Messenger focused on rampant illegal activity on Hanson Road, Mansfield Park. I quote from the article:

Concerned parents, school students, social workers and local councillors say that young women now avoid walking in the area because they fear they will be asked for sex. An Athol Park girl, [of just] 14 [years old], told the Weekly Times Messenger she had been approached twice on Hanson Rd since February by men looking for sex.

I am aware, from concerns raised with me directly, that many local residents are now avoiding walking on the road, and members of the public, including minors, have been propositioned by passing motorists.

A local government councillor from the area has also raised concerns that syringes and used condoms are frequently discarded on Fawkes Reserve, just off Hanson Road. I understand that as a result of the increasing complaints the Western Adelaide police have undertaken to confront this issue. My questions to the minister are:

1. Have any operations now commenced by the police in that area in direct response to these complaints?

2. If so, can the minister provide an update as to those efforts to clean up this notorious strip, which has been a problem for many years?

3. What further measures will the minister undertake to ensure that drug use, illegal activities and prostitution on Hanson Road are brought under control and fully dealt with by law enforcement?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for Gambling) (14:47): I thank the honourable member for his questions. I will refer those questions to the relevant minister in another place and bring back a response.