THE State Opposition has accused Member for MacKillop Nick McBride of breaking a promise about reopening the Kalangadoo Police Station after a freedom of information request showed there had been no correspondence between the first-term MP and Police Minister Corey Wingard on the issue.
The request, lodged by Shadow Police Minister Lee Odenwalder, sought access to copies of all documents – including written briefs, minutes, emails, diary entries, meeting notes and text messages – from the 2018 election to November last year.
Despite “extensive searches”, a letter from Mr Wingard – viewed by The South Eastern Times – said no documents could be found.
However, Mr McBride said he had made his position clear to the minister during “many conversations” and pledged to continue to advocate for police services to be maintained.
“The minister has advised me the future of Kalangadoo remains with the police commissioner, who is undertaking a review into policing in regional areas,” Mr McBride said.
“I, like many others in the community, want the results of the review to be positive for the Kalangadoo Police station.”
The Kalangadoo Police Station has not been staffed following the departure of the town’s sole officer more than two years ago.
Before the 2018 state election, then Shadow Police Minister Stephan Knoll committed to retaining the single officer station, saying the Liberal Party had “absolutely no plans to close any police station”.
But almost two years since the State Liberals were elected the station remains closed, with patrols from Penola and Millicent responsible for servicing the Kalangadoo police area.
Mr Odenwalder said the freedom of information documents showed the local representative has “done nothing” about reopening the Kalangadoo Police Station despite his party pledging to reinstate an officer.
“Documents obtained from the minister’s office show there has been no correspondence between McBride and minister Corey Wingard about the Station – no letter, no email, not so much as a text message,” he said.
“On my last visit to Kalangadoo, residents were very angry they had been led to believe the police station would be reopened after the election.
“That was well over a year ago.”
Mr Wingard has previously said he does not have the authority to direct the police commissioner to keep the station open, contradicting the State Government’s pre-election pledge.
He said he was awaiting the completion of a statewide review into regional policing to be finalised before any announcement on the future of the station.
In a statement, South Australia Police spokesperson said the review was “well advanced”, but final outcomes were yet to be determined.
Mr Odenwalder also struck out at Mr Wingard for failing to adhere to the government’s pledge to staff the police station.
“Corey Wingard has also sought to hide behind the promise of a review into country policing, but we have heard absolutely nothing about the progress of this review, nor whether Mr McBride has made a submission,” he said.
“My position has always been these decisions are for the Police Commissioner.
“Yet Mr McBride still made this commitment to the people of Kalangadoo.”
Mr Odenwalder slammed the State Government’s for extending the opening hours of three metropolitan stations, but failing to honour the Liberals’ pre-election pledge for Kalangadoo.
“Steven Marshall promised to reverse other decisions of the Commissioner, such as the shortening of opening hours at three suburban Police Stations, including in the premier’s own electorate of Norwood,” he said.
