Skip to content
Crime, Employment Relations

*** MEDIA ALERT: SHERIFFS WALK OFF JOB AT 8.30AM TOMORROW ***

Public Service Association 2 mins read

What: Sheriffs down tools and hold protest

 

When: 8.30am

 

Where: Gosford, Newcastle, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Lismore, & Tamworth Courthouses

 

Why: Sheriffs will walk off the job over staffing crisis

 

Contact: 0405 285 547

 

Press Release: 

 

Sheriffs walk off the job over staffing crisis and poor pay

 

Sheriffs from Gosford to the Queensland border will stop work and protest outside local courthouses at 8.30am tomorrow over a staffing crisis and poor pay.

 

This action, which will last two hours, will have a severe impact on courts’ ability to function.

 

The Office of the Sheriff has difficulty recruiting and retaining Sheriffs due to the poor pay.

 

While Sheriffs’ duties have ballooned over the last decade their pay has failed to keep pace.

 

Sheriffs, (formally ‘Sworn uniformed Sheriff’s Officers’), both enforce the law and provide court security. 

 

Sheriffs are a crucial part of law enforcement. They enforce orders issued by NSW Local, District and Supreme Courts, the High Court, the Federal Court and Family Court.

 

Sheriffs enforce writs, serve warrants and Property Seizure Orders issued under the Fines Act 1996.

 

Their security duties involve maintaining the security of court complexes, many of which have airport-style perimeter security and scanning to ensure the safety of judges, magistrates, lawyers and the public. 

 

There are over 300 Sheriffs across the state attached to over 170 courthouses. Only 44 courthouses will be affected by tomorrow’s action.

 

Sheriffs have tried to play by the rules, said Stewart Little, General Secretary of the Public Service Association which represents Sheriffs, but they have just been ignored for over two years.

 

“In mid 2022 there was an agency restructure and the senior leadership of the Office of the Sheriff got a significant pay bump,” said Mr Little.

 

“In 2023 there was a review of Sheriffs’ pay but the report was never released under 'cabinet in confidence'.

 

‘Sheriffs waited patiently, and were told the matter would be resolved in the 2024 budget, but when it was delivered in mid June nothing happened, and now they’ve been fobbed off again with some other made up bureaucratic process, so Sheriff’s have just had enough.

 

“Sheriffs are highly trained in what is risky and stressful work.

 

“Sheriffs need a solid pay bump to reflect the dangerous work they do, when enforcing court orders they’ll be entering people’s properties wearing stab proof vests, carrying capsicum spray, batons and handcuffs. It's difficult work.

 

“Sheriffs put their lives on the line in courthouses to make sure judges, lawyers and members of the public are safe from crooks and criminals, yet they are paid the same as people with desk jobs and administration roles at the courthouse, it’s just not on,” said Mr Little.

 

Contact: 0405 285 547

More from this category

  • Culturally and linguistically diverse, Employment Relations
  • 07/11/2024
  • 09:45
SSI

First look at ground-breaking new facility to build a stronger future for Logan job seekers

Logan locals have received a sneak peek at a new site that is being transformed into a game-changing community facility to get residents job ready in Logan Central, formed in partnership between the Queensland Government and non-profitSSI. The Logan Economic Hub will take shape on Carmody Street with $6.756 million committed from the Queensland Government and not-for-profit community organisation SSI now co-investing up to $7.8 million towards the project, along with in-kind resources. Last week, local community leaders, youth, employers, peak bodies, and service providers met to discuss the key challenges faced by the Logan community to help inform the…

  • Crime, Transport Automotive
  • 07/11/2024
  • 05:00
RACV

RACV’S TOP PREVENTION TIPS FOLLOWING 25 PER CENT INCREASE IN TRAILER THEFTS

Recent data from the Victorian Crime Statistics Agency shows a 25 per cent increase in car trailer thefts in Victoria over the year to…

  • Contains:
  • Education Training, Employment Relations
  • 04/11/2024
  • 08:16
Australian Higher Education Industrial Association

Government praised for fixed-term contract approach

The peak body for industrial relations in the higher education sector has outlined three broad components for making universities sustainable. The Executive Director of the Australian Higher Education Industrial Association (AHEIA), Craig Laughton, said there needed to be: better informed decision making by governments legislating in areas that effect the sector; less pursuit of ideology in enterprise bargaining; and harmonising funding with modes of employment. “This is in the context of at least 25 of Australia’s universities in deficit in 2023, compared with just seven in 2017,” Mr Laughton said. He said that’s why a just announced decision of the…

Media Outreach made fast, easy, simple.

Feature your press release on Medianet's News Hub every time you distribute with Medianet. Pay per release or save with a subscription.