South Australia Police

The Hon. J.S. LEE (14:42): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Attorney-General, representing the Minister for Police, about a SAPOL incident.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S. LEE: On 2 June 2025, 9news reported that Gaurav Kundi—a 42-year-old Indian Australian man—is on life support following a violent arrest by South Australia Police on Payneham Road. Video footage shows Mr Kundi being forced to the ground as he and his partner pleaded that he had done nothing wrong and stated that he has ongoing health concerns. His partner alleges that an officer pressed a knee into his neck, after which he lost consciousness. Mr Kundi remains in a critical condition.

While the police commissioner has now announced a commission of inquiry in addition to internal and major crime investigations, the officers involved remain on active duty. The acting assistant commissioner has stated publicly that the officers acted in line with their training; however, serious concerns remain not only about the use of force but about the possibility that racial bias may have played a part in the escalation of the incident. A number of Indian community leaders have contacted my office seeking support and also an explanation from the government. My questions for the Attorney-General are:

1. Will the terms of reference for the commission of inquiry explicitly include any racial bias in police interactions and use of force?

2. Why have the officers involved not been stood down pending the outcome of multiple investigations, given the severity of the incident?

3. Does the Attorney-General accept that public confidence in police accountability is at risk and, if so, what immediate steps will the government take to ensure transparency, justice and community trust?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (14:44): I will be happy, as the honourable member requested at the start of her question, to refer those to the police minister in another place and bring back a reply for the honourable member.