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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-05-13 Daily Xml
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Police Association of South Australia

The Hon. F. PANGALLO (15:14): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Attorney-General, representing the Minister for Police in another place, a question about workplace harassment and bullying.

Leave granted.

The Hon. F. PANGALLO: On 12 September last year, police commissioner Grant Stevens announced SAPOL had launched an investigation into shocking claims that serving officers and police union staff were regularly bullied and belittled by a boys' club of senior union officials. The investigation followed disturbing allegations I made in this place that female union staff were labelled 'old', 'fat' and 'ugly'. Female members were called 'menopausal and histrionic' and 'silly cows' and some members suffering PTSD were referred to as 'broken biscuits'.

To this day, those who were the subjects of that abuse still carry the emotional and psychological scars. At the time, police commissioner Stevens said, and I quote:

Anyone using the type of language referred to by Mr Pangallo has no place in any modern workplace. Communications in a workplace should be open and civil. Furthermore, there is no place for behaviour or language that demonstrates a lack of respect, compassion and empathy for any worker experiencing a psychological injury.

Mr Stevens went on to say, and rightly so, that all employees had a right to a workplace free from bullying, harassment and discrimination. My questions to the minister are:

1. Eight months later, what is the status of the investigation?

2. How many people were interviewed as part of the investigation?

3. Has the investigation been completed and has any disciplinary action been taken against any staff of the Police Association? If so, what action and if not, why not?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (15:16): I thank the honourable member for his questions and I will pass them on to the police minister in the other place and bring back a reply for the honourable member.

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