Police Vehicles

The Hon. C. BONAROS (14:53): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Health and Wellbeing, representing the Minister for Police, a question about the safety of police vehicles.

Leave granted.

The Hon. C. BONAROS: Due to safety concerns, the New Zealand police department recently made the decision to remove its fleet of new Holden Commodore ZB liftback vehicles from front-line services. A recent article in the New Zealand Police Association magazine indicated the potential hazards and safety issues that relate to a lack of headroom in the back seats. The Holden Commodore ZB liftback—sadly, the first Holden Commodore model to be manufactured outside of Australia following the closure of Holden's plant at Elizabeth—has a sloping back that is halfway between a sedan and a hatchback.

As a result, operational police in New Zealand have complained of cramped conditions in the back seat, especially when transporting arrested offenders. To address the problem, New Zealand Police has decided to replace its front-line ZB model Commodores with station wagons. SAPOL's front-line police are using the exact same vehicles in South Australia. SA-Best is aware the SA Police Association recently requested the issue be discussed at the next meeting of the SA Police commissioner's office health, safety and wellbeing advisory committee, on which the association has a representative. My questions to the minister are:

1. Is the minister aware of the potential health and safety issues linked to SAPOL's fleet of Holden Commodore ZB vehicles, as raised by the New Zealand Police department?

2. Has the police commissioner raised any concerns with the minister about SAPOL's fleet of Holden Commodore ZB vehicles?

3. Has the minister had talks with the police commissioner about potentially replacing those vehicles with station wagons, as has occurred in New Zealand, including any threat to SAPOL's budget, given that station wagons are more expensive than the ZB liftback?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:55): I thank the honourable member for her three questions and I undertake to refer them to the Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services in the other place and bring back an answer.