The recent decision by the Albanese Government to amend legislation to enable the Governor-General a
43 per cent pay rise is yet another slap in the face to the hard working sworn and unsworn members of
the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) President Alex Caruana is asking a critical question of the
Albanese Government.
“How can the Government justify giving the Governor-General a staggering 43 per cent pay rise while
forcing a cap on our members of 11.2 per cent over three years?
“I would like to think that the Prime Minister of Australia would answer this question as many of my
members are asking. My members, like many other Australians are suffering from cost-of-living
pressures. I have members sleeping in cars and collecting food from welfare agencies, and the Albanese
Government is giving a pay rise of over $200,000 to someone who is already earning $495,000 per year
and has as many perks as a politician regarding their expenses.
“The excuse offered by the Prime Minister does not pass the pub or fairness test. Just because the
incoming Governor-General does not receive a military pension does not mean she should get a
taxpayer handout.” Mr Caruana said.
The AFPA believes that this legislation change sends a clear message about the priorities of the Albanese
Government and how they truly feel about everyday workers and Australians.
AFPA President Alex Caruana said the brave men and women of the AFP put their lives and their mental
wellbeing on the line every day to ensure the safety and security of Australia and its dignitaries.
“The Governor-General is protected 24/7 by AFP sworn officers. They would sacrifice their lives to
protect the Governor-General and the best the Albanese Government can do it to give them a below CPI
pay rise of 11.2 per cent over three years and a few allowances that does not compensate them for the
risks and dangers they face.
“Frankly, our members deserve better from the Albanese Government. They deserve respect,
recognition and fair compensation that reflects the critical role they play in maintaining national security
and public safety,” Mr Caruana said.
The AFPA demands a re-evaluation of the current pay deal offered by the AFP to its workforce and calls
for the Albanese Government to show some leadership and involve itself in negotiations.
AFPA President Alex Caruana said that it is obvious that the AFP has significant budget constraints
regarding keeping Australia and its people safe and paying its workforce a fair and competitive wage.
“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.
“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,” Mr Caruana said.
