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.
In reply to the Hon R.A. Simms (20 May 2026):
"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?"
Response by the Hon K.J. Maher:
"The Minister for Police has advised that:
For South Australia Police to collate the requested information effectively, an average has been drawn to answer this question, based over a 9-day period between 11 - 19 May 2026 inclusive as days requiring dedicated police resources.
North Adelaide Golf Course:
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- Four police were deployed to the site gate, Memorial Drive for an average of 8 hours per day (usually from 9am to 5pm) to manage protest activity and prevent breaches of the peace.
- Therefore 36 police were required for a total 72hrs.*
*On at least six separate occasions this number scaled up to 10 police for short periods of time when protestors became disruptive, either gaining or attempting to gain access to the golf course site. These numbers are not included - hence the averaging of police in attendance.
In addition:
On Friday 15 May and Friday 22 May 2026, protests at the steps of Parliament House attracted approximately 3,000 and 1,500 protesters, respectively.
On each occasion police were deployed for two and a half hours to manage each protest:
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- 16 police were deployed on 15 May
- 10 police were deployed on 22 May
- Therefore 26 police were required for the total five hours coverage.
Not only am I satisfied that upholding the law and preserving the peace is an appropriate use of police resources, it is the explicit purpose of the police service in South Australia.