The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) welcomes the announcement that AFP appointees returned a resounding ‘NO’ vote of 64.49 per cent to the AFP’s (Australian Federal Police) Enterprise Agreement (EA) offer.
The AFPA has vigorously and consistently campaigned for a ‘no’ vote, focusing on the lack of respect and
recognition shown by the AFP Executive and the Federal Government towards the AFP’s 6,000-member
workforce, which strives every day to protect Australia and its communities. The AFPA’s campaign was
supported overwhelmingly by a survey of its members conducted during the lead-up to the vote.
AFPA President Alex Caruana said that the result was a clear indication that the AFP workforce was unhappy with the current proposal and that the AFP and Government needed to step up and support their premier law enforcement agency.
“We have held many concerns about the most recent EA process; in most cases, the AFP has simply ignored our objections. These issues encompass but are not limited to time-wasting, insufficient levels of
consultation with the AFPA, and a clear lack of true ‘good faith’ bargaining.
“The information the AFPA provided to our members during the campaign was based on AFP values of
‘accountability, integrity, fairness, respect, and truth,’ which resonated strongly with the membership. Prior to the commencement of bargaining, the AFPA made it very clear to its members that we were committed to getting them an EA that was fair for everyone and that no one would be left behind.”
“I congratulate and thank every single AFP appointee who voted. This result shows the AFP Executive and the Government that the goodwill and commitment of members have been abused for too long and that things must change. It is time to recognise and respect AFP appointees, and the AFPA is ready to commence negotiations today to address these matters,” Mr Caruana said.
The AFPA’s protected industrial action (PIA) activities will continue, including the possibility of formally
requesting the withdrawal of AFP appointees under protected industrial action from places such as airports, the Parliament House of Australia, and other important locations.
Mr Caruana said that the AFP, the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC), the Government and the
relevant Minister needed to come together to discuss a way forward and improve the original EA offer.
“Our recent Membership Survey told us that AFP members do not feel respected by the Government. A small step towards rebuilding that respect would be to provide a better offer.
“If the AFP is in such a bad financial state, then they need to find the courage to have a frank and fearless
discussion with the Government and seek further funding. It is also time for the Australian National Audit
Office and the Department of Treasury to formally query the financial position of the AFP.
“If the Government were so focused and committed to national security and the AFP, they would want their own law enforcement agency to be well-funded, technologically advanced, and well-staffed.
“Criminals, organised crime syndicates, foreign agents, and terrorist organisations do not have efficiency
dividends, nor do they have budgets and enterprise agreements that constrain their activities,” Mr Caruana said.
For comments: AFPA Media and Government Relations Manager – Mr Troy Roberts – 02 62651788 –
media@afpa.org.au
The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) welcomes the announcement that AFP appointees returned a resounding ‘NO’ vote of 64.49 per cent to the AFP’s (Australian Federal Police) Enterprise Agreement (EA) offer.
The AFPA has vigorously and consistently campaigned for a ‘no’ vote, focusing on the lack of respect and
recognition shown by the AFP Executive and the Federal Government towards the AFP’s 6,000-member
workforce, which strives every day to protect Australia and its communities. The AFPA’s campaign was
supported overwhelmingly by a survey of its members conducted during the lead-up to the vote.
AFPA President Alex Caruana said that the result was a clear indication that the AFP workforce was unhappy with the current proposal and that the AFP and Government needed to step up and support their premier law enforcement agency.
“We have held many concerns about the most recent EA process; in most cases, the AFP has simply ignored our objections. These issues encompass but are not limited to time-wasting, insufficient levels of
consultation with the AFPA, and a clear lack of true ‘good faith’ bargaining.
“The information the AFPA provided to our members during the campaign was based on AFP values of
‘accountability, integrity, fairness, respect, and truth,’ which resonated strongly with the membership. Prior to the commencement of bargaining, the AFPA made it very clear to its members that we were committed to getting them an EA that was fair for everyone and that no one would be left behind.”
“I congratulate and thank every single AFP appointee who voted. This result shows the AFP Executive and the Government that the goodwill and commitment of members have been abused for too long and that things must change. It is time to recognise and respect AFP appointees, and the AFPA is ready to commence negotiations today to address these matters,” Mr Caruana said.
The AFPA’s protected industrial action (PIA) activities will continue, including the possibility of formally
requesting the withdrawal of AFP appointees under protected industrial action from places such as airports, the Parliament House of Australia, and other important locations.
Mr Caruana said that the AFP, the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC), the Government and the
relevant Minister needed to come together to discuss a way forward and improve the original EA offer.
“Our recent Membership Survey told us that AFP members do not feel respected by the Government. A small step towards rebuilding that respect would be to provide a better offer.
“If the AFP is in such a bad financial state, then they need to find the courage to have a frank and fearless
discussion with the Government and seek further funding. It is also time for the Australian National Audit
Office and the Department of Treasury to formally query the financial position of the AFP.
“If the Government were so focused and committed to national security and the AFP, they would want their own law enforcement agency to be well-funded, technologically advanced, and well-staffed.
“Criminals, organised crime syndicates, foreign agents, and terrorist organisations do not have efficiency
dividends, nor do they have budgets and enterprise agreements that constrain their activities,” Mr Caruana said.
For comments: AFPA Media and Government Relations Manager – Mr Troy Roberts – 02 62651788 –
media@afpa.org.au
