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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-09-02 Daily Xml
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Forensic Science South Australia Awards

The Hon. T.T. NGO (15:14): My question is to the Attorney-General. Can the minister tell the council about the winners of the 2025 Forensic Science Awards?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (15:14): I thank the honourable member for his important question. In the middle of last month, I had the honour of attending, once again, the annual Forensic Science South Australia Awards, which recognise the outstanding achievements in innovation across the forensic science community in South Australia.

These awards recognise the dedication, scientific rigour and integrity of those who play a crucial role in supporting our justice system, from crime scene to courtroom, and coronial inquests. Neil Langlois was awarded the Justice Ted Mullighan Outstanding Case Award for his expert testimony in a manslaughter and criminal neglect case in which Neil was commended by the judge in that case for his exceptionally clear and helpful explanations of his evidence.

Kahli Murton received the Foundation Award for developing and implementing an electronic ordering system for FSSA's laboratory supplies. The new system Kahli developed has been described as a game changer for efficiency for the science support team. The Customer Service and Public Relations Award was awarded to the mortuary technical team for the important work they do in providing dignity and care for unclaimed deceased persons.

The Professor Hilton Kobus Research Award was given to Emma Partridge, Peter Stockham, Michaela Kenneally, Andrew Luong and Chris Kostakis for their paper regarding the recent detection of a highly unusual and dangerous combination of novel psychoactive drugs. Their work will alert scientists in other jurisdictions here in Australia and around the world to be on the lookout for this combination of drugs in their own work.

Danielle Butzbach received a special award for her investigative work and development of a new test method to identify new psychoactive substances. Danielle developed a new method to accurately measure the quantity of extremely low concentrations of this particular drug in blood. This new method is capable of detecting concentrations as low as the equivalent of a small pinch of salt dissolved in an Olympic-size swimming pool.

Claire Jeanes also received a special award for developing a new system for prioritising, monitoring and advancing research and development projects in the biology team. The award for the highest achieving student in the Flinders University Bachelor of Forensic and Analytical Science degree was awarded to Mackenzie Walter.

I would also like to acknowledge Senior Specialist Forensic Pathologist Dr Roger Byard for his recognition in this year's King's Birthday Honours List. Dr Byard was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia for 'eminent service to medicine, to forensic pathology, to tertiary education as an academic and researcher, and to the community'—an exceptional achievement and very well deserved.

The state government is committed to supporting the exceptional work done by Forensic Science SA. Work is now in motion on the new South Australian forensic science facility, with work well underway and, importantly, staff playing a crucial role in the design process. I want to congratulate the recipients of the awards for their achievements and all those who have contributed to this excellent work.

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