SAPOL Barracks

The Hon. F. PANGALLO (15:38): I seek leave to ask the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, representing the Minister for Police in another place, a question about the demolition of the SAPOL barracks at Thebarton.

Leave granted.

The Hon. F. PANGALLO: Late last year, an extraordinary chapter in SAPOL's history closed with the passing of trailblazing policewoman Joyce Richardson OAM. The 101 year old's distinguished career was honoured at a ceremony held at the SAPOL barracks at Thebarton. Joyce joined SAPOL in 1944 and retired in 1979, after a decorated career spanning 35 years, along the way becoming the first female police officer in South Australia to be appointed a sergeant in 1974. She earned a long service and good conduct medal, as well as the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal.

In 1990, Joyce was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in recognition of her service to the welfare of the aged. One of the final honours at the ceremony that day was where her close friend and former colleague retired chief inspector Kathryn Finnigan fulfilled Joyce's final wish that her ashes be scattered in the rose garden. My question to the minister is:

1. What will happen to Joyce's ashes, given the police barracks are to make way for the new RAH?

2. Are there plans to relocate the rose garden to another site?

3. Does he know how many other police officers' ashes have been scattered in the rose garden over the years?

4. Has the minister appointed officers or others to conduct a survey of the site to establish whether First Nations' remains are buried there, and will he report any findings and the strategy for their removal and reinterment to parliament?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:40): I thank the honourable member for his question and his interest in this matter. I will refer the question to the Minister for Police in the other place and bring back a response.