Police Mounted Operations Unit

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO (15:11): I seek leave to give a brief explanation before asking the Attorney-General a question about the Courts Administration Authority.

Leave granted.

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO: It has been confirmed that the staging area behind the Supreme Court will be used to prepare the police greys for duty from their paddocks at Gepps Cross. My questions are:

1. What consultation was undertaken with the Courts Administration Authority in regard to these changes and the likely impact on the Courts Administration Authority?

2. What concerns have been raised by the Courts Administration Authority?

3. Is there sufficient parking and other facilities available in the location behind the Courts Administration Authority?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:12): I thank the honourable member for her question. Certainly, there were discussions at a very high level that were held immediately before announcements were made in relation to the use of the land behind the Supreme Court. I know there have been a lot of discussions that have been held at a departmental level in relation to, as the honourable member refers to, car parking and other issues associated with using that land.

Certainly, one thing that has been said is the Courts Administration Authority have ambitions over time to look to have building upgrades, and one thing we have certainly said is that any use of this land now by the police in terms of a staging facility won't sterilise that portion of land into the future should those ambitions be able to be realised.