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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2)
2008-04-02 Daily Xml
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VINING, DR R.

The Hon. S.W. KEY (Ashford) (15:04): Will the Attorney-General inform the house about the recent appointment of a new Director of Forensic Science in South Australia?

The Hon. M.J. ATKINSON (Croydon—Attorney-General, Minister for Justice, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (15:04): I am pleased to tell the house that one of Australia's leading scientists, Dr Ross Vining, was appointed recently as the new Director of Forensic Science SA. He took up his position on 3 March. Dr Vining replaces Dr Hilton Kobus, who retired late in 2007 after leading the service for 10 years.

The appointment of Dr Vining represents a genuine recruiting coup for our state. Internationally, there is a shortage of experienced forensic scientists and pathologists, and in this highly specialised field Dr Vining is widely regarded as one of the foremost members of his profession in the country. Most recently, Dr Vining was director of the New South Wales Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, which incorporates the state's forensic science service. He has been director for more than three years, and before that was deputy director for 10 years. He has won national recognition and many scientific prizes for his work. His experience, proved leadership qualities, national profile and energy for the task augur well for the future of Forensic Science SA in its progression towards becoming the leading organisation of its kind.

Forensic Science SA has most recently been the focus of media attention for its role in collating and storing the state's fast-growing DNA database. That is the database that the member for Bragg thinks should not include the DNA profile of Bevan Spencer von Einem. This database continues—

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The Hon. M.J. ATKINSON: Well, the member for Bragg cannot help herself. She is always putting her foot in it. The database continues to grow quickly, thanks to the state government's new DNA laws that came into force in May last year, allowing the collation and retention of samples from any person suspected of having committed an indictable offence, or any summary offence punishable by imprisonment. The data are also being uploaded daily into the national DNA database, CrimTrac, with links to many historic crimes already identified and passed on to police for further investigation.

In the current state budget the government included a further $1.4 million for a robotic system at Forensic Science SA to give the state the most modern system for handling DNA samples. The appointment of Dr Vining further demonstrates this government's support for the valuable and developing role of forensic science in this state. And, who knows, Mr Speaker, perhaps Dr Vining's reputation is so high that he will attract other forensic pathologists to work here in South Australia.

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