Haydon, Mr M.R.

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (14:49): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the minister representing the Attorney-General a question relating to dangerous offenders in South Australia.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD: In 2004, Mark Ray Haydon, a man convicted for assisting in the so-called Snowtown murders, was sentenced to 25 years' imprisonment. Mr Haydon, however, becomes eligible for parole on the 21^st of this month. Indeed, earlier this week, Mr Haydon made an application for parole, which has raised significant concern within the community, especially for family members of the victims. My questions for the minister representing the Attorney-General are:

1. What, if anything, is the government doing to prevent the release of Mr Haydon?

2. Is the Attorney able to exercise his powers in accordance with the dangerous offenders provisions under the Criminal Law (Sentencing) Act 1988?

3. If the Attorney is not able to intervene in Mr Haydon's application for parole based on a legal technicality, as has been reported, what legislative changes, if any, will the government introduce to protect the community from dangerous offenders such as Mark Ray Haydon?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (14:50): I thank the honourable member for his questions and his ongoing interest and commitment to community safety, generally. The news of the potential release of Mr Haydon into the community is something that is alarming for all South Australians. Mr Haydon, of course, is associated with some of the most serious criminal acts that we have seen in this state, indeed in the nation's history, and the prospect of anyone linked to the Snowtown murders I think is a legitimate source of concern for us all. It is something this government is following very closely.

In respect of the technical questions that the Hon. Mr Hood has asked, of course I will take them on notice and make sure that he gets a response from the Attorney-General, but if I can speak generally, I have been advised that the police commissioner is paying close attention to the parole proceedings. There is a substantial process that the gentleman concerned, Mr Haydon, has to go through before he can be released into the community.

We think that the process associated with parole in this state is robust and it serves as great comfort to me and the government that SAPOL will be informing themselves regarding this matter and making a submission to the parole process. We have every confidence that the Parole Board will take the submissions of SAPOL into consideration, substantially, when they make their respective deliberations.

The government reserves its right to consider all legislative options if that is what is required to ensure that South Australians remain safe. In respect of the technical questions regarding the particular case or the particular legislation the honourable member refers to, I am more than happy to seek advice from the Attorney-General and bring back an answer accordingly.