Australian Federal Police officers might downgrade Parliament House patrols over their ongoing pay dispute with the government. Photo: James Coleman.
Rank-and-file members of the Australian Federal Police are poised to take strike action aimed at disrupting Parliament House when it resumes in two weeks’ time.
The Fair Work Commission recently approved a Protected Industrial Action application from the Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA), the union representing AFP personnel.
Members subsequently voted overwhelmingly (73.4 per cent) in favour of embarking on the action, which plans to target the non-essential guarding of Parliament House, over the continuing pay dispute with the Federal Government.
They could also downgrade some patrols at airports, which has the potential to disrupt MPs’ travel for the parliamentary sessions. AFP bosses, however, have issued a stern warning that they will not allow any action that jeopardises safety.
“The AFP is aware of AFPA’s proposal to undertake additional forms of protected action during bargaining for a new enterprise agreement,” an AFP statement said.
“While the AFP has not received formal notification of such actions to date, the AFP wants to be very clear: The AFP will vigorously object to any action that jeopardises the safety and protection of high office holders, parliamentarians or designated airports.
“At no time will the life of any high office holder, politician or member of the public be put at risk because of any proposed action by the AFPA.
“The AFP makes no apologies for protecting Australia’s democracy and the location and lives of those whom we dutifully protect.
“While the AFP has supported the right of AFPA members to take industrial action, where allowed under the law, it will not support any action that threatens national security, risks community safety or undermines confidence in the ability of the AFP to do its job.”
AFPA president Alex Caruana said the “below CPI pay rise of 11.2 per cent over three years and a few allowances” did not compensate AFP officers for the risks and dangers they faced.
“Frankly, our members deserve better from the Albanese Government,” he said recently.
“They deserve respect, recognition and fair compensation that reflects the critical role they play in maintaining national security and public safety.”
The AFPA insists the pay deal reached between the Australian Public Service Commission and the Community and Public Sector Union should not apply to AFP officers.
It has demanded a re-evaluation of the current pay offer, saying the Federal Government should show “some leadership” on the issue.
“We have had numerous meetings with key members of the Albanese Government but there appears to be little willingness to recognise that AFP sworn officers are not traditional public servants and play a frontline role in national security,” he said.
“It’s very clear they don’t want to support the hard-working members of the AFP and it’s disappointing that all these politicians will lean on the AFP and its members when things turn pear-shaped, yet don’t want to recognise and support them.”
The action could also slow down administrative functions and information exchanges between the AFP and Federal Government departments.
While the AFPA agrees that its members won’t do anything to jeopardise public safety or the safety of MPs, it makes a point of stressing that is why they should not be treated – compensated – the same as regular public servants who do not have to put their lives on the line to protect anyone.
Mr Caruana said there were “no traditional public servants” undertaking such roles.
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