22/10/01
Police officers throughout Western Australia have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the State Government's offer to improve their wages and conditions.
Police Minister Michelle Roberts today welcomed their decision to accept the Gallop Government's new Enterprise Agreement, which includes a 6 per cent pay increase.
Mrs Roberts said the smooth passage of this agreement reflected the different approach taken by the Government on employee relations issues compared to the Court Government.
"We are not about taking well deserved working conditions away from our dedicated police officers or creating unnecessary delays in the negotiations - techniques perfected under the previous Government," she said.
"This Government recognises the tough, dangerous and difficult job that police perform in the community and their efforts are very much supported and appreciated."
Mrs Roberts said the agreement was another important step by the Gallop Government to ensure WA police officers had the same working entitlements as other workers.
"The overwhelming support by the police on accepting this offer is testimony that our Government is acting in their best interests and today's result builds on our recent announcement to include police officers, for the first time, under the Occupational Safety and Health Act," she said.
Mrs Roberts said the key features of the agreement package included:
- an incentives package to attract police to regional areas;
- increased shift penalties;
- six weeks paid parental leave and provision for carer's leave; and
- a review of the salary and rank structure of the police service.
Mrs Roberts said under the new agreement, the Gallop Government could now implement its $8 million country incentives package, including the extension of the 44-hour week to Kalgoorlie and other Goldfields locations.
"The work of police officers in country locations can be even tougher and more difficult and this is where the lack of police numbers and resources is most acutely felt," she said.
"It was an election commitment by our Government to introduce this package and we have worked with the Police Union to not only improve wages and conditions for police officers, but to enhance policing services to the community."
Mrs Roberts today welcomed the introduction of the 44-hour week in Kalgoorlie and Goldfields region, as one of the key features of the agreement.
"This is very positive initiative for both police and the public. It effectively means the creation of more police hours that can now be directed towards protecting the community," she said.
"For police officers it makes Kalgoorlie a more attractive place in which to serve which ensure the community will receive a higher level of service."
Goldfields-Esperance Minister Nick Griffiths also welcomed the agreement and said that it would help to ease some of the recruitment issues in the region.
"This Government promised to extend the 44-hour working week for police officers and we have proven that we are true to our word," he said.
"It will be a major bonus to not only attract police officers to the region, but to encourage them to stay."
Media contact: Mark Thompson on 9213 6600
