Legislative Council Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2) 53 2 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time South Australia Police South Australia Police The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD Legislative Council South Australia Police The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (14:50): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the minister representing the Minister for Police questions relating to increasing police investigatory powers here in South Australia. Leave granted. The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD Legislative Council The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD: I have been informed that the police have sought additional powers to assist in the closing of unsolved murder investigations that exist in South Australia, in many cases quite longstanding ones. Some of the additional powers that have been requested are the presumption against bail for those charged with murder and manslaughter; a majority guilty verdict rather than a unanimous verdict, as is currently required; 24-hour detention for questioning, up from the current four-hour period; introducing new offences of aggravated manslaughter and withholding information; and allowing coercive hearings in all murder investigations. I ask the minister: 1.	Is this, in fact, correct? If so, is the minister in discussion with SAPOL regarding these changes? 2.	What, if any, consultation has occurred on these proposed changes at this stage? 3.	Is the government considering these changes? If so, when, or are we likely to see them in a bill? The Hon. G.E. GAGO Legislative Council Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:51): I thank the honourable member for his question and will refer it to the relevant minister in another place and bring back a response.