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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-06-26 Daily Xml
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POLICE, NATIONAL EMPLOYER SUPPORT AWARD

The Hon. S.W. KEY (Ashford) (15:46): Can I first of all celebrate the fact that this is the second time we have had a woman in the chair in this chamber, and also celebrate the Labor majority in the Legislative Council. My question is directed to the Minister for Police. Can the minister inform the house about SAPOL's latest award for supporting its employees and improving safety around Australia and beyond?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (15:47): I thank the member for Ashford for her question.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: I am pleased to advise that SAPOL has been recognised yet again. On 22 June, SAPOL was announced as the public sector winner of the 2012 National Employer Support Award. This latest achievement comes on top of South Australia having the highest rate of operational police of any state for five years in a row. It stands alongside SAPOL's achievement over the past decade of being ranked first in Australia seven times in the community's confidence in police. In the other three years, we never finished off the podium. There is a winning culture within our police service.

SAPOL has around 170 officers who are also Defence Force reserve personnel for the Army, Navy and Air Force. This award recognises that SAPOL makes every effort to ensure these officers are supported to do their bit for the state and also do their bit for the nation. Officers who work part time with the Defence Force exchange ideas, learn new skills and then bring these experiences back to their anything-but regular jobs. Employers may be technically required to provide certain conditions for the defence reserve staff; however, there is a big difference between grudgingly doing something because you have to and doing things because you truly believe it adds value to your organisation.

Assistant Commissioner Bryan Fahy attended the ceremony at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra and accepted the award from the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator David Feeney. The senator said the South Australia Police 'builds the skills of their officers, creates strong community and business partnerships, and also supports the security of our nation'. I trust the opposition will join me in congratulating SAPOL on yet another award.

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