May 20, 2026
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question without notice to the Attorney-General on the topic of police presence at the Adelaide Parklands.
Leave granted.
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: Like many South Australians, I was disturbed to see footage of a large contingency of police being deployed to the Adelaide Parklands to monitor the site of the North Adelaide Golf Course redevelopment. I understand that last week we saw the arrest of eight protesters. Among them was 78-year-old self-described 'granny' Mij Tanith, who is with a walker.
My question to the Attorney-General is: can the minister advise how many police have been deployed to Possum Park and the Adelaide Parklands over the last two weeks, and is he satisfied that this is really the best use of police resources at this time?
The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Deputy Premier, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Arts, Special Minister of State): I thank the honourable member for his question. In relation to police operations and the resources deployed, I am happy to refer that to the police minister in the other place and see if there is a reply to be brought back. I know that sometimes, for very good reason, exact details of how police conduct their operations are not revealed, as I am sure the honourable member would understand.
One thing I would say is that I place great confidence, and I think most South Australians place great confidence in how the police do their job and keep South Australians safe. I think we have all watched some of the things the honourable member has described, but we have also all watched on and seen a building burnt on the golf course, which I don't think any of us endorse those sorts of actions either.
So, as I say, I am confident that the police do their job in the interests of keeping South Australians safe, and I think, when we reflect on it, a lot of people will wonder about—and these are just a few people engaging in this sort of behaviour, but it does not help causes with some of the behaviour that we have seen as well.