Answers to Questions

Surveillance Devices Act

In reply to the Hon. T.A. FRANKS (25 September 2019).

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer): I have been advised:

The Surveillance Devices Act 2016 came into operation on 18 December 2017 and repealed and replaced the Listening and Surveillance Devices Act 1972.

Policing of brothels and prostitution related offences is the responsibility of the Licensing Enforcement Branch (LEB) of the South Australia Police (SAPOL).

The Attorney-General has been advised by the Commissioner for Police that in the first reporting period of 18 December 2017 to 30 June 2018, LEB used devices 21 times when entering brothels pursuant to S32 of the Summary Offences Act 1953 (SOA). In the last reporting period of 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019, devices were used on 26 occasions, again in conjunction with entry to a brothel pursuant to S32 SOA.