November 2001 Volume 82 Number 11
"serving the protectors"
| November 2001 Volume 82 Number 11 "serving the protectors" |
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Police Federation’s successes: the national scene
The Police Federation of Australia has, in the interests of its 43,000 members nationwide, had considerable success during the past 12 months.
The appointment of serving police officer, Mark Burgess, as CEO has further enhanced the federation’s status. I commend him for his dynamic style and support to the president’s position.
Significant issues dealt with over the past 12 months include the gaining of a reporting exclusion for police officers from the fringe benefits tax. This brought a financial benefit for police services across Australia of more than $10 million per annum and a similar amount for federation members. This is a recurring saving for both the employer and employee.
Also satisfying is the federal government’s decision to fund the construction of a national memorial for Australian police officers killed in the line of duty.
The PFA’s successes are the direct result of its strategic political lobbying. In this role, the CEO has used all state and territory presidents.
One cannot overstate the importance of access to federal government funding for policing. States and territories have traditionally funded policing. But we must, in a changing world, look to national governments as well to improve the status of the police profession and provide the best possible police service to all Australians.
The PFA seeks among other issues to provide appropriate police superannuation legislation that will enable police to retire younger - and with dignity.
The PFA’s plans to lobby federal, state and territory governments for appropriate police powers are also significant. These powers will allow police across the country to combat the growth of world terrorism and criminality, which are not bound by state or national borders.
Clearly, it is time for us to look beyond our state and territory borders at the national picture of policing. But it is also appropriate that we have a voice in the international forum of policing.
The PFA’s move in this direction will be demonstrated by the International Law Enforcement Conference in Queensland in November 2002.
Maintaining the momentum the federation has achieved over the past 12 months is important. I reiterate, however, the importance of looking beyond our own jurisdictions as we take account of the federation’s work.
Relocating the federation CEO and national office to Canberra represents a maturing of the organization’s national standing. This will serve the best interests of the PFA’s 43,000 members.
We can now look to 2002 with excitement and anticipation.
PETER ALEXANDER
PRESIDENT
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