ALERT NOW: AFP OFFICERS WALKING OFF THE JOB, AFPA PRESIDENT AVAILABLE
AFP officers are currently walking off the job for two hours (1pm - 3pm) at locations around Australia. The largest contingent of officers is walking out of the AFP Headquarters in Canberra (Edmund Barton Building, cnr of Kings Avenue & Macquarie Street, Barton).
AFPA President Alex Caruana will be available to address media outside the Edmund Barton Building between 1pm – 2:30pm, media will likely also be able to get pictures of AFP officers walking out and assembling outside HQ.
When: 1pm - 2:30pm today (police will walk out at 1pm for a period of two hours)
Where: Edmund Barton Building, cnr of Kings Avenue & Macquarie Street, Barton
Who: AFPA President Alex Caruana
What: Alex can address the media about why officers are walking off the job today and the threat of a mass exodus from the AFP
Contact: Alex Caruana 0421 281 439 / Anil Lambert 0416 426 722
Quotes attributable to Australian Federal Police Association President Alex Caruana:
“Yesterday AFP officers walked off the job in airports around the country. We were not able to draw media attention to this action for security reasons, but we know it was disruptive and costly.
“AFP officers will not take any industrial action that will put anyone in danger, but we are prepared to be disruptive in our fight for a reasonable deal. Today’s walkout is just another warning shot.
“We are prepared to continue our campaign of industrial action until Attorney General Mark Dreyfus decides to offer a deal that won’t result in mass flight.
“The deal being presented to AFP officers by Mark Dreyfus was designed for desk job Commonwealth public servants who get work from home entitlements – it just won’t fly with fed-up police officers. Our members can’t investigate international pedophile syndicates from home and they can’t take a bullet for the PM from home.
“This deal is toxic. We surveyed our members and six per cent said they would leave the AFP immediately if the current deal was enforced, while another 68 per cent said they’d start actively looking for other jobs.
“The skills of AFP officers are in high demand, not just from other state police services, but from the public service and from the private sector. Big banks, for example, are always keen to employ former AFP officers as security consultants.
“The AFP Association is prepared to fight hard for a better deal - not just because our members deserve it, but because the Australian public needs an effective federal police service.”
Contact details:
Alex Caruana 0421 281 439 / Anil Lambert 0416 426 722
