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Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2016-07-05 Daily Xml
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Commissioner of Police

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (15:11): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Police a question about the police commissioner.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: In an article The Advertiser dated 21 May by Isabella Fowler, headed 'She was only having a lend', Ms Fowler says:

Police commissioner Grant Stevens' wife approached a celebrated local designer to borrow a gown for the Queen's 90th birthday in return for a positive mention on Facebook. Emma Stevens was glowing in her praise for fashion designer, Jaimie Sortino, on her profile, posting, 'Wow, what an amazing experience this has been. A very, very big thank you to Jaimie Sortino for this amazing gown I got to have the privilege of wearing and was so proud when asked if I'd bought it and London and got to say, 'No, it's from an amazing designer from Adelaide.'

Further on it makes clear in the article:

While Ms Stevens was asked to return the gown, Sortino requested a promotion on social media as payment.

A direct quote from Mr Sortino was:

'It was paid in publicity, sort of thing. I just asked her to put something on Facebook,' he said. 'I joked that she could pass my card on to Kate Middleton.'

My questions to the Minister for Police are:

1. Is it now acceptable for any police officer or their partner to borrow and use expensive items of clothing from a business in exchange for promoting that business on social media?

2. Will the minister on notice ask the commissioner to advise the house whether there have been any other examples where the commissioner or a family member had borrowed and used from a business expensive items of clothing and, if so, can the commissioner provide details to the house?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (15:13): Of course I am familiar with the police commissioner's overseas travel that was recently widely reported on. The chamber and members would be aware of the fact that we would reasonably expect police commissioners to travel overseas, as is appropriate to do so, to ensure the South Australian police force remains a world-leading police force, and with that objective at heart it is appropriate that travel take place.

The police commissioner is entitled, under his contract, to be accompanied by his wife on occasions throughout the course of that travel. That is an entitlement that has existed in former police commissioner's contracts, including contracts that were initiated under the former government. With respect to the questions regarding the borrowing of a dress, I am happy to take that on notice and provide a response where it is appropriate to do so.

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