Police Association of South Australia president Mark Carroll announces he will not seek re-election in 2025

The president of the state’s police union has revealed when he will step aside from his role as his potential successor’s campaign website vanished as quickly as it appeared.

The president of South Australia’s police union has announced he will step aside at the end of his term, after a site promoting the deputy president’s campaign for the top job was published online – then hastily taken down.

In a statement to The Advertiser, Police Association of SA (PASA) president Mark Carroll said his current term ends in March 2025.

“All the current terms of the committee of management (including the president and secretary) expire then,” he said.

“After 17 years in the role, I do not intend to nominate for president again.

“The Police Association is a democracy, and as such, any association member can nominate for the offices of committee member, president or secretary.”

His announcement comes after a difficult few months for the union, which has found itself embroiled in multiple legal battles brought by former officials and staff.

Earlier on Friday, a site www.wadeburns.com was online promoting current deputy president Wade Burns as “best qualified for President of the Police Association of SA”.

A campaign website for Wade Burns that was live on Friday morning but taken down around midday. Picture: Supplied

A campaign website for Wade Burns that was live on Friday morning but taken down around midday. Picture: Supplied

“No candidate is as infinitely qualified as Wade for the role of Police Association president,” it said.

The site featured extensive information about Mr Burns’ experience and suitability for the role of president, as well as endorsements from SA Sports Hall of Fame inductee Jenny Williams OAM, Woodcroft College principal Shannon Warren and Basketball South Australia chief executive Tim Brenton.

A campaign website for Wade Burns that was live on Friday morning but taken down around midday. Picture: Supplied

A campaign website for Wade Burns that was live on Friday morning but taken down around midday. Picture: Supplied

A campaign website for Wade Burns that was live on Friday morning but taken down around midday. Picture: Supplied

The information on the website was removed on Friday and replaced with the message “website coming soon”. Picture: Supplied

It also told visitors how they could contact Mr Burns.

“Have questions, suggestions or want to show your support for Wade Burns as Police Association president? Your voice matters and can help shape the future of the association. Click here to send a message to Wade,” it said.

However, all pages were removed around midday and replaced with a message saying “this website is under construction and will be available soon”.

Mr Burns, the son of former police commissioner Gary Burns, was elected deputy president of the union at the beginning of 2022.

He did not respond to questions about why the page was removed.

PASA has been forced to defend itself against multiple legal threats over recent months.

The union, Mr Carroll and secretary Bernadette Zimmerman and the PASA are all respondents in a civil case brought by former deputy president Samantha Strange.

That case is due to return to the District Court next week, however lawyers for Mr Carroll at the last hearing successfully applied to keep the details secret.

Separately, three former employees of the union lodged unfair dismissal cases against PASA in the Fair Work Commission – however all are understood to have now withdrawn their matters.

The details of those cases have not been made public.