Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2)
2008-06-03 Daily Xml

Contents

CRIME PREVENTION UNIT

The Hon. R.D. LAWSON (15:38): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Police a question about crime prevention.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.D. LAWSON: This government's commitment to crime prevention was best exemplified by the fact that it halved funding to crime prevention programs in its first budget and has not restored that funding. Within the Attorney-General's Department there was a crime prevention unit, which has subsequently been disbanded, but that unit was developing a state crime prevention plan, which had not reached finalisation at the time the unit was dismantled within the Attorney-General's Department. The police department has, however, taken some steps in relation to the development of that plan. The latest annual report of South Australia Police indicates (and I read from page 31):

To maintain downward pressure on crime, SAPOL is reviewing its approach to crime prevention and developing a new crime prevention strategy with new structures to support problem solving and the development and delivery of crime prevention programs, initiatives and operations.

My questions to the minister are:

1. When will we see the results of this work being done by South Australia Police?

2. Will the members of the Victims of Crime Advisory Council (an organisation established under statute and which has an ongoing interest in crime prevention) be given an opportunity to contribute to the new strategy when it is produced?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Police, Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning) (15:40): I will take the questions on notice and get an update from the relevant section of the police in relation to the progress of that program, and also in relation to whether the members of the Victims of Crime Advisory Council will be consulted. Obviously, during the development of most of their policies, the police do consult with a victims of crime officer. As I said, I will confirm that and bring back a reply for the honourable member.