POLICE Minister Corey Wingard says he does not have the authority to direct the Police Commissioner to keep the Kalangadoo Police Station open, contradicting a pre-election pledge by the Liberal Party to retain the single-officer station.
During a visit to the South East, Mr Wingard said he was unable to advise the commissioner to reinstate a police officer at the station, saying his portfolio responsibility will fund South Australian Police (SAPOL) operations.
“The Police Commissioner makes all decisions on operational matters and police stations are operational matters,” Mr Wingard said.
“As the minister, I deal with funding for the Police Commissioner and work through those issues.
“I am involved in the budgetary side of the process.
“I cannot direct the police commissioner, he is an independent body to run policing for South Australia.
“He is the police commissioner and he knows policing.”
Mr Wingard said he was awaiting the completion of a statewide review into regional policing to be finalised before any announcement would be made on the future of the station.
He was unable to provide an answer as to when the review would be finished, saying “that sits with the commissioner and he has not put a timeline on that.”
Earlier this year, Mr Wingard’s office said in a statement consultation for the review was completed in May with work remaining ongoing by SAPOL.
“It is a thorough review, he is engaging with the community, listening to communities and working out what the needs are for nuanced communities, especially in our regions,” Mr Wingard said.
Mr Wingard said while he had not discussed the situation with Kalangadoo residents, he had been informed by Member for MacKillop Nick McBride about the community’s concerns.
“Nick McBride has been doing a big job advocating for his community and making the feelings known of the community,” he said.
“I have forwarded correspondence from the Member to SAPOL and the commissioner.”
Wattle Range Mayor Peter Gandolfi rejected notions Mr Wingard was restricted from advising the commissioner on releasing extra resources to keep stations open.
Mr Gandolfi said state law clearly provided ministers with power to direct the commissioner “should the minister feel strongly”.
Under the Police Act 1998, the commissioner is responsible for the control and management of SAPOL subject to any written directions of the minister.
While the legislation states the minister cannot direct the commissioner to appoint, transfer or terminate a particular person, it does not restrict the minister in respect of administration and the level of resources.
“He can direct the police commissioner, all he has to do is inform the Parliament that he has done so,” Mr Gandolfi said.
“The Police Minister has a role in representing our community as an elected member of Parliament and there is a level of expectation within the community the government would honour its pre-election commitment to not cut services in its towns.
“If the minister’s responsibility is just a matter of allocating funding, the Treasurer is able to do that.”
Kalangadoo business owner Kerry Dowdell said residents remained concerned about the provision of services, saying the retention of the single-officer station was imperative to the township.
“Everyone wants our police station to be reopened because it is important to have that connection with police in a small town,” she said.
“Now, if we need anything from the police we have to travel to either Millicent, Penola or Mount Gambier.
“For people with new cars, they need to find their way to one of these towns, get a permit that allows them to drive the car, get back to Kalangadoo and then get their car checked at either Millicent, Penola or Mount Gambier.
“We used to be able to do that all here.”
She said residents were also incensed the newly-built station, which also saw the police officer provide services for neighbouring towns, was being unused.
“The thing that a lot of people are angry about is there is a brand new police station and a brand new house just sitting there not being used.
“That money could have been used on other things in our community.
“I think a lot of people forget the Kalangadoo police officer does not just look after Kalangadoo, it looks after Nangwarry as well.”
Last month Nangwarry residents backed the reinstatement of a police officer at a public meeting, saying the town relied on the Kalangadoo station for a faster response time to incidents.
