South Australia Police Corporate Programs

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (15:23): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Police a question regarding SAPOL corporate programs.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS: On 6 September this year, I took part in a radio interview with Ali Clarke on ABC 891, which also included input from the minister and the officer in charge of the SAPOL reform project, Superintendent Bob Fauser. During this interview, in response to a question from Ali Clarke, and I quote:

So, you're saying that police officers will continue to be involved in Neighbourhood Watch, Suicide Watch and the Blue Light discos?

the superintendent responded, and I quote:

I'm saying that they will be involved in those SAPOL corporate programs with Blue Light and Neighbourhood Watch. Suicide prevention is not necessarily a SAPOL corporate program.

Given this, my question to the minister is: will the minister outline all the SAPOL corporate programs to which the superintendent was referring?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (15:25): Of course I recall the radio interview that the Hon. Mr Dawkins refers to, because concerns were raised in the paper that morning regarding the continuation of programs like Neighbourhood Watch and Blue Light discos, or Blue Light events generally. I am more than happy to reassure South Australians that SAPOL, as an organisation, remains committed to both the Blue Light program and Neighbourhood Watch generally.

As I outlined on that radio interview, the government's commitment to Neighbourhood Watch is best represented by the fact that this state government has contributed $2 million to a Neighbourhood Watch reinvigoration program, which remains well underway. I am advised that the Commissioner of Police has approved the newly developed state community engagement section to assume responsibility for programs regarding Blue Light. SAPOL's commitment to these activities and their longevity is resolute.

The Blue Light program and its partnership approach with Blue Light Incorporated are currently being reviewed to ensure that it meets contemporary and professional business requirements. This will provide assurance that both entities can work together delivering the programs into the future, providing enriching activities in safe environments to assist young people in their development.

The organisation reform team within SAPOL assures me that the change will create greater work flexibility for officers to actively engage in community programs, such as Blue Light or other programs, as is appropriate, and that may well be programs regarding mental health, to which I know the honourable member is a committed advocate.

With respect to the specific part of the honourable member's question in terms of corporate programs, I don't have a list available to me, but if there is such a list I am more than happy to take that on notice and, if it is appropriate to do so, share it with the honourable member.