Transit Police

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:22): I have a supplementary question. Given that minister Rankine stated that there were 102 back in 2012, and that she announced that the transit police would be boosted by 28, how can the minister stand here and say that they have honoured their commitment to the South Australian people? He is saying there is about 100, but we had 102 three years ago.

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (14:22): I'm not familiar with the specific remarks that the honourable member refers to. What I am familiar with is the advice that I have received from SAPOL, that the number of transit police has increased under this government's watch. That is a record that I am proud of, and it just so happens to be advice that is consistent with every other fact that exists within SAPOL in terms of this government's record of resourcing SAPOL effectively.

We have the highest number of sworn police officers per capita in this state of any state in the country. It is a record that is second to none and it has delivered results in respect of crime statistics and community safety. It is a record that we are proud of and we welcome the scrutiny that we get from the opposition when it comes to this state government's resources to SAPOL because it gives every opportunity to point to our record which, as I said, is second to none.