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

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (15:24): A supplementary: I thank the minister for his answer. Minister, given that you are meeting with the Commissioner of Police tomorrow and given that this incident was reasonably prominent, could we expect an answer or could I expect some indication from you tomorrow as to answers to my questions?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (15:24): I am more than happy to share out information where it is appropriate to do so. The only reason I put that qualification on there is that it is, I suspect, a matter that is under investigation by SAPOL; I don't know that, but there is a legitimate possibility that it is. In any investigation, of course, SAPOL has to make a decision about what is in the interests of the pursuit of that investigation.

It might not be in the interests of the investigation itself to be out there publicly sharing information, saying, 'We're looking at this person or looking at that person.' But if it is appropriate to disclose information that SAPOL thinks it is appropriate to disclose, I am more than happy to do that. The only reason I put that qualification on there is that it might not be appropriate to disclose a matter that is under active investigation.

What I would reiterate is that I think Senator Bernardi and his staff should not be subjected to the sort of behaviour that occurred last week. I think every free-speaking person in this country, whether they be an elected official, a member of staff or a member of the public more broadly, should be able to articulate their genuinely held views in an environment that is free from intimidation and vandalism.

In that context, I will make inquiries at my meeting with the police commissioner tomorrow. Just bear in mind that if I'm not answering questions directly, it may well be a consequence of SAPOL not being in a position to share information publicly.

The PRESIDENT: Supplementary, the Hon. Ms Franks.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: It's not a supplementary; it's my question.

The PRESIDENT: I have down here the Hon. Mr Ngo.

The Hon. T.A. Franks interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: That's the order I have here. The Hon. Mr Ngo.

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