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Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2016-03-22 Daily Xml
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Police Staffing

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:27): My question is to the Minister for Police. Does the minister agree with the police commissioner, Grant Stevens, that if the government intends to fill its election commitment to recruit an additional 313 police officers the police budget will need to be increased by $8 million a year?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (14:28): I thank the honourable member for his important question regarding the police resourcing that this government remains absolutely committed to. I think now on more than five occasions I have been asked the question in this chamber regarding this government's ongoing commitment to resourcing the police force.

This government remains absolutely committed to honouring our commitment regarding Recruit 313. I am very proud to report to this chamber again that the South Australian police force is one of the most well-resourced police forces in the nation. Indeed, it is a statement of fact to say that, on a per capita basis per 100,000 of population, SAPOL has more police officers than any other state in the country. On a per capita basis, we have more police officers than in any other state in the country.

This government's commitment to retain its position as one of the most well-resourced police forces in the country remains ongoing, which is why we are committed to continuing to increase the number of police officers on the ground. Let me be clear: under this government we have more police, we have an increasing police budget, we are increasing the wages and conditions of the police officers who serve our state so proudly, and we remain committed to increasing them into the future.

On average, this government has been increasing SAPOL's budget on the basis of around about 9 per cent per annum since this government came to office: an extraordinary commitment that demonstrates our absolute passion for keeping this community safe and our outstanding commitment to making sure that we have police on the ground. We are committed to Recruit 313 and it is this government's intention to deliver Recruit 313 and we will be doing everything we can to make sure we honour that commitment.

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