The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) notes the elevation of Australia’s official terror alert level to ‘probable’ from the previous ‘possible’ level.
The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) Director-General, Mr Mike Burgess said in the media that Australia’s security environment has become more volatile and unpredictable with Australians being radicalised and being radicalised more quickly.
AFPA President Alex Caruana said the impact of this announcement highlights how important the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and its appointees are when it comes to national security and protecting the community.
“AFP officers will be at the forefront of protecting Australia and its communities. This rising of the terror alert level will require AFP officers, operating in many different roles, to have a focus on preventing and disrupting possible terror-related violent acts being committed here on Australian soil.
“This again proves the simple fact that AFP appointees are not traditional public servants. In the last few days, the Prime Minister, the Minister for Home Affairs, and the Assistant Treasurer have all said, on the public record, that the government’s first priority is the safety and security of Australians.
“What they fail to recognise is that AFP officers are among a small cohort of people the government tasks for this role. It is my members that will be directly engaging with people on the street, putting their safety on the line. We remember the unfortunate events from 23 September 2014 in Endeavour Hills, Victoria, when an 18-year-old attacked two counter-terrorism police officers with a knife.
“The Federal Government continues to disrespect the hard and dangerous work AFP appointees undertake every single day as they continue to sit by and allow AFP police officers to be the worst base paid police officers in the country,” Mr Caruana said.
The AFPA’s protected industrial action will continue as planned with notice sent to the AFP Commissioner today (Monday 5 August 2024) regarding pending actions.
AFPA President Alex Caruana said that AFPA members are still willing to undertake protected industrial action to fight for their wages and conditions.
“My members take their jobs as AFP appointees very seriously and they are professional when it comes to their duties. When it comes to fighting for an improved paycheck that is comparable with their state and territory colleagues, they are prepared for that.
“The Government continues to ask more and more of the AFP and its workforce, yet they continue to bury their heads in the sand when it comes to offering AFP appointees a fair pay rise with improved allowances.
“What will it take for the Federal Government to actually recognise the worth of an AFP appointee?” Mr Caruana asked.
For comments: AFPA Media and Government Relations Manager – Mr Troy Roberts – 02 62651788 – media@afpa.org.au
AUSTRALIA’S TERROR THREAT RISES – AFP BASE WAGES REMAIN LOWEST IN THE COUNTRY
5 August 2024
The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) notes the elevation of Australia’s official terror alert level to ‘probable’ from the previous ‘possible’ level.
The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) Director-General, Mr Mike Burgess said in the media that Australia’s security environment has become more volatile and unpredictable with Australians being radicalised and being radicalised more quickly.
AFPA President Alex Caruana said the impact of this announcement highlights how important the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and its appointees are when it comes to national security and protecting the community.
“AFP officers will be at the forefront of protecting Australia and its communities. This rising of the terror alert level will require AFP officers, operating in many different roles, to have a focus on preventing and disrupting possible terror-related violent acts being committed here on Australian soil.
“This again proves the simple fact that AFP appointees are not traditional public servants. In the last few days, the Prime Minister, the Minister for Home Affairs, and the Assistant Treasurer have all said, on the public record, that the government’s first priority is the safety and security of Australians.
“What they fail to recognise is that AFP officers are among a small cohort of people the government tasks for this role. It is my members that will be directly engaging with people on the street, putting their safety on the line. We remember the unfortunate events from 23 September 2014 in Endeavour Hills, Victoria, when an 18-year-old attacked two counter-terrorism police officers with a knife.
“The Federal Government continues to disrespect the hard and dangerous work AFP appointees undertake every single day as they continue to sit by and allow AFP police officers to be the worst base paid police officers in the country,” Mr Caruana said.
The AFPA’s protected industrial action will continue as planned with notice sent to the AFP Commissioner today (Monday 5 August 2024) regarding pending actions.
AFPA President Alex Caruana said that AFPA members are still willing to undertake protected industrial action to fight for their wages and conditions.
“My members take their jobs as AFP appointees very seriously and they are professional when it comes to their duties. When it comes to fighting for an improved paycheck that is comparable with their state and territory colleagues, they are prepared for that.
“The Government continues to ask more and more of the AFP and its workforce, yet they continue to bury their heads in the sand when it comes to offering AFP appointees a fair pay rise with improved allowances.
“What will it take for the Federal Government to actually recognise the worth of an AFP appointee?” Mr Caruana asked.
For comments: AFPA Media and Government Relations Manager – Mr Troy Roberts – 02 62651788 – media@afpa.org.au
