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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2022-09-27 Daily Xml
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Whitford, Mr G.

The Hon. F. PANGALLO (14:49): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Attorney-General and also the minister representing police and correctional services about the suspicious death of a South Australian policeman.

Leave granted.

The Hon. F. PANGALLO: The Nine Network's Under Investigation program last night made a number of extremely disturbing findings into the suspicious 1981 death of a senior major crime police officer, Detective Inspector Geoffrey Whitford. At the time, Inspector Whitford was investigating criminals involved in the drug trade and had expressed serious concerns that corrupt police were involved.

Mr Whitford's body was located at Myponga Beach with a gunshot wound to the head. The subsequent police and forensic investigation determined the cause of death was suicide. There was no inquest, and strangely that seems to be the case with many police officers who have taken their lives, like Chief Superintendant Doug Barr—no inquest.

The police report to the Coroner had been kept a secret until last year when Mr Whitford's daughter, former police officer Amanda Schultz, was finally granted permission to view it, making extensive notes. The report revealed several alarming and troubling discrepancies, contradictions and peculiarities in the forensic evidence obtained in police witness statements, which some witnesses concerned have since said were fabricated. It all points to a scandalous cover-up.

The panel on the program included a senior criminal barrister and a specialist forensic lawyer, as well as a former major crime detective who worked alongside Inspector Whitford. They forensically picked through all the evidence available, and more that has come to light. They all concluded it was not a suicide and could not rule out murder. The panel was scathing of the police investigation, with one saying it was so bad it made the Keystone Kops—the slapstick silent film comedy troupe—look competent. My question to the Attorney-General and the police minister is:

1. Will they now order an immediate investigation/judicial inquiry into the claims made by the program?

2. Will the Attorney-General instruct the Coroner to undertake a thorough review of the case and direct that the Coroner immediately conducts an inquest into Inspector Whitford's death in the interests of justice and closure for Mr Whitford's still grieving family?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:52): I thank the honourable member for his question and his very long and well-known interest in areas of making sure issues come to light and that justice is done and is seen to be done.

I was not able to see the program last night; however, I have been able to read a brief summary of the program, but I will get more information about the issues and the substance of the program from Channel 9's Under Investigation last night. Having seen the summary, my office has already made inquiries with the Coroner's office and I will be seeking further information on this matter. I won't commit to anything at this stage, but I will absolutely seek further information on this matter and talk to the honourable member about what future steps might be taken.

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