CRIME STATISTICS

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (15:11): I seek leave to give a brief explanation before asking a question of the minister representing the Attorney-General concerning the website maintained by the Attorney-General's Department about statistics from crime reported in the courts in South Australia.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD: A search of the website of the Office of Crime Statistics and Research reveals that it has statistics as to sentences imposed for various crimes by various South Australian courts. If one looks at the Publications and Statistics section, the latest statistics available as at the court sentencing date are actually for the 2007 year.

Whilst there is a Crime Mapper section that deals with crimes reported in various local government areas—and this contains information up to and including 2010—there appears to be no information about sentencing after 2007 on the site. I note, however, that, despite this, The Advertiser was able to obtain statistics about sentences from the Office of Crime Statistics and Research for the purposes of an article in that publication on 21 August this year about cannabis traffickers. It therefore appears that the statistics are available but that they are simply not published.

My own research to mid-August this year indicates that, of the last 100 criminals convicted of major drug trafficking offences—or very similar serious drug offences—only 36 were actually imprisoned. My questions are:

1. Has the publication of statistics concerning sentences imposed by the courts been restricted and, if so, for what reason and by whom?

2. Why is it that no statistics for sentences have been published after the 2007 year—some five years ago?

3. Does the government consider that the rate of suspended sentences imposed by South Australian courts for very serious drug offences is higher than it should be in this case?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) (15:13): I thank the honourable member for his important questions, and I will refer them to the Attorney-General in another place and bring back a response.