House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2021-06-10 Daily Xml

Contents

APY Lands Policing Model

Mr ODENWALDER (Elizabeth) (15:06): My question is again to the Minister for Police.

Members interjecting:

Mr ODENWALDER: I am still angry, John.

The SPEAKER: Members on my right!

Mr ODENWALDER: Can the minister understand how community leaders on the APY lands would be angry and confused about why he travelled thousands of kilometres—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr ODENWALDER: —spending taxpayer funds—

The SPEAKER: The member for Elizabeth will resume his seat. The Minister for Energy and Mining rises on a point of order.

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: The member for Elizabeth has told us twice that he is angry, but that doesn't allow him to put argument into his question, and standing order 97 prevents him from asserting that anybody else is angry in his questions.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The point of order has been raised pursuant to standing order 97. I will allow the member for Elizabeth one opportunity to rephrase. He, I am sure, is well aware of the procedure should he wish to seek leave.

Mr ODENWALDER: Thank you, sir. My question is to the Minister for Police. Why did the minister spend taxpayer funds to travel thousands of kilometres and not speak to one single community leader?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (15:07): In light of the time, I am happy to answer that question on behalf of the government. I am the minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation. As such, the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Land Rights Act is actually a piece of legislation I look after. I have extensive consultation with people on the lands on a range of issues—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Badcoe, member for Wright!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —and I have only recently met with the interim chair, Bernard Singer; with the Anangu director of APY, Rex Tjami; with the chief executive, Richard King; and senior members there. They represent the diverse views. The issue regarding the new policing model was not raised with me. I am happy to go back and seek some feedback on this issue, but the minister provided a comprehensive briefing to the cabinet on his visit. He encouraged many of us to go up there.

Mr Odenwalder interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Elizabeth is warned for a second time.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: He canvassed a huge number of views while he was up there. We were very pleased to get that feedback.