South Australia Police

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (15:06): My question is directed to the Minister for Police. Does the minister agree with the following statement made by the police commissioner on ABC radio on Tuesday of this week when he said: 'Well, we had savings targets that we had to meet as well and part of the way we met that was to defer some of our recruiting activity and leaving it for later in the period.'

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (15:07): Mr President, I am not too sure what the context is of the Hon. Mr Lucas's remarks, but he mentioned the word 'recruiting', so I am happy to reiterate what this government's commitment is to recruiting. Mr President, this is a government that is committed—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS: —to the largest police force, the most well-resourced police force, one of the most modern police forces that this state has ever seen. This state budget has provided for more resources for SAPOL than ever before in its history. This year there will be more money allocated to SAPOL than in any other year in the history of the South Australia Police Force. More than that, over the forward estimates, the government is committed to increasing SAPOL's budget in real terms. This represents a huge commitment to resourcing SAPOL. It is a commitment that I think we stand by and stands as consistent with our track record as a government in making sure that we have a well-resourced police force, a growing police force, to make sure that South Australia is as safe as it possibly can be.