Mr EDE - 1994-08-30
Yesterday, the Executive Officer of the Police Association got stuck into the CLP government for being unconcerned for the safety and welfare of police officers and the general public. When will this arrogant government do something about the understaffing of our police force? When will it do something to help the real Territorians who are delivering vital services to our community? How long does this government intend to leave police force members in life-threatening situations while it does nothing? How long will members opposite sit there letting alarm bells ring while the community suffers? They refuse even to accept that a problem exists.
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his colourful question. There has been some dissatisfaction by some members of the police force in relation to what they perceive as problems. Most certainly, they have the right and the ability to make comments regarding those problems as they see them.
In relation to staffing numbers, I have made it very clear in this Assembly that, last year, a process commenced not only to increase the numbers of police in the Territory but also to train police to replace the numbers who are resigning or retiring. Only last week, I pointed out to the House - and I spoke about this yesterday to the Police Association - the recruitment programs presently in place. In January this year, 20 police began a training course for constables. Another course for 37 police constables will commence on about 19 September. At the moment, we are recruiting for a further school of 20 constables to commence in January. Over the 12 months, there will be 77 police constables in training.
Mr Ede: Police are resigning because you will not work out a pay deal.
Mr MANZIE: The Leader of the Opposition can say that we do not pay the police enough, but I ask him to have a look at the salary scales and levels of other benefits that police obtain. As well as their salaries, Northern Territory police have free accommodation or receive an allowance of approximately $180 a fortnight towards buying their own housing. They also receive free uniforms and a number of other benefits.
Mr Ede interjecting.
Mr MANZIE: Mr Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition makes a joke about it. I know that he has made jokes about the police and their role in the past, but he can ...
Mr EDE: A point of order, Mr Speaker! This is misrepresentation. I do not necessarily intend to move for it to be referred to the Committee of Privileges. I find that totally offensive and ask that it be withdrawn.
Mr MANZIE: Mr Speaker, it would be easier if the Leader of the Opposition simply stopped laughing and ...
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Mr Ede: Are you speaking to the point of order?
Mr MANZIE: That would enable him ...
Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Minister for Transport and Works should withdraw the remark.
Mr MANZIE: Mr Speaker, I withdraw whatever remark caused offence, but I repeat that the Leader of the Opposition has made jokes about the police in the past.
Mr Ede: What?
Mr MANZIE: That is on the record and I need say no more.
Mr EDE: A point of order, Mr Speaker! I refer you to standing order 62. The minister says that I have made jokes about the police. I take my job as shadow minister for police extremely seriously. If the minister wishes to say that, he must do so by way of substantive motion.
Mr SPEAKER: I ask the Minister for Transport and Works to back up those remarks if in fact he has evidence to indicate that.
Mr MANZIE: Mr Speaker, at this stage, I withdraw those remarks. I will take the matter up at a later date. That will be something that members can wait for.
As I was saying, quite an intense recruitment program is under way at present. As well as the 77 constables who will be recruited and trained from January to January, 22 auxiliary members of the force are being trained. Their course begins on 12 September. Thus, at this stage, we are talking about 100 personnel undertaking that recruitment and training process. I can say also that as ...
Mr Ede: How many resignations?
Mr MANZIE: Obviously, many of those relate to people who are retiring or resigning. That has always been part of the police service and a number of other services in the Territory. The average turnover used to be about 10% a year. Whether it has reached that stage again, I do not know but that was the situation for about 15 years in the 1970s and early 1980s.
This is an ongoing process. I have had discussions with the acting Commissioner of Police and I will be talking to the new Commissioner of Police about this matter to ensure that the recruitment process keeps pace with retirements and resignations. I am informed that, over the next 5 or 6 years, there will be retirements on account of a number of senior officers and senior members who are approaching retirement age. That will require a constant recruitment process.
In relation to claims about police safety, the police management informs me - and I have no reason to disbelieve them - that they always ensure that equipment relating to safety, including radios and motor vehicles, is kept up to date and in good condition to ensure the
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safety of members. In terms of the ability to respond to officers in trouble, there are mechanisms in place that enable rapid responses both locally and Territory-wide.
I believe also that management gives a deal of support to police in times of stress and when they have problems. In fact, the police management has taken a number of initiatives to provide support systems for police. Here I refer to the positions for an occupational health and safety officer, a part-time chaplain, who is funded to be available when needed, and there is also a retainer for a psychologist to be available when needed. I refer also to the equal opportunities policy. There are support activities in a number of areas.
Certainly, I would not stand here and say that everything is perfect in the police force because it is obvious that it is not and that we will never have a perfect world. I believe it is important for the Police Association to work with police management in attempting to identify problems and discussing the best ways of resolving them. I am sure that that will happen. I have commenced a process of dialogue with the Police Association to determine the areas in which the government needs to assess where it is heading and, in relation to policies, whether policy directions need changing to improve matters in relation to the police force.
Nevertheless, our police force is the best police force in Australia. The members who staff our police force are head and shoulders above any other Australian police force. I know that I have said it before, but I ask members not to jump the gun when individual policemen have problems. They should allow the normal processes of investigation to be pursued. I believe that, as a community, we need to support our police more than we do. Certainly, I have nothing but admiration for members of the police force.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his colourful question. There has been some dissatisfaction by some members of the police force in relation to what they perceive as problems. Most certainly, they have the right and the ability to make comments regarding those problems as they see them.
In relation to staffing numbers, I have made it very clear in this Assembly that, last year, a process commenced not only to increase the numbers of police in the Territory but also to train police to replace the numbers who are resigning or retiring. Only last week, I pointed out to the House - and I spoke about this yesterday to the Police Association - the recruitment programs presently in place. In January this year, 20 police began a training course for constables. Another course for 37 police constables will commence on about 19 September. At the moment, we are recruiting for a further school of 20 constables to commence in January. Over the 12 months, there will be 77 police constables in training.
Mr Ede: Police are resigning because you will not work out a pay deal.
Mr MANZIE: The Leader of the Opposition can say that we do not pay the police enough, but I ask him to have a look at the salary scales and levels of other benefits that police obtain. As well as their salaries, Northern Territory police have free accommodation or receive an allowance of approximately $180 a fortnight towards buying their own housing. They also receive free uniforms and a number of other benefits.
Mr Ede interjecting.
Mr MANZIE: Mr Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition makes a joke about it. I know that he has made jokes about the police and their role in the past, but he can ...
Mr EDE: A point of order, Mr Speaker! This is misrepresentation. I do not necessarily intend to move for it to be referred to the Committee of Privileges. I find that totally offensive and ask that it be withdrawn.
Mr MANZIE: Mr Speaker, it would be easier if the Leader of the Opposition simply stopped laughing and ...
Page 105
Mr Ede: Are you speaking to the point of order?
Mr MANZIE: That would enable him ...
Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Minister for Transport and Works should withdraw the remark.
Mr MANZIE: Mr Speaker, I withdraw whatever remark caused offence, but I repeat that the Leader of the Opposition has made jokes about the police in the past.
Mr Ede: What?
Mr MANZIE: That is on the record and I need say no more.
Mr EDE: A point of order, Mr Speaker! I refer you to standing order 62. The minister says that I have made jokes about the police. I take my job as shadow minister for police extremely seriously. If the minister wishes to say that, he must do so by way of substantive motion.
Mr SPEAKER: I ask the Minister for Transport and Works to back up those remarks if in fact he has evidence to indicate that.
Mr MANZIE: Mr Speaker, at this stage, I withdraw those remarks. I will take the matter up at a later date. That will be something that members can wait for.
As I was saying, quite an intense recruitment program is under way at present. As well as the 77 constables who will be recruited and trained from January to January, 22 auxiliary members of the force are being trained. Their course begins on 12 September. Thus, at this stage, we are talking about 100 personnel undertaking that recruitment and training process. I can say also that as ...
Mr Ede: How many resignations?
Mr MANZIE: Obviously, many of those relate to people who are retiring or resigning. That has always been part of the police service and a number of other services in the Territory. The average turnover used to be about 10% a year. Whether it has reached that stage again, I do not know but that was the situation for about 15 years in the 1970s and early 1980s.
This is an ongoing process. I have had discussions with the acting Commissioner of Police and I will be talking to the new Commissioner of Police about this matter to ensure that the recruitment process keeps pace with retirements and resignations. I am informed that, over the next 5 or 6 years, there will be retirements on account of a number of senior officers and senior members who are approaching retirement age. That will require a constant recruitment process.
In relation to claims about police safety, the police management informs me - and I have no reason to disbelieve them - that they always ensure that equipment relating to safety, including radios and motor vehicles, is kept up to date and in good condition to ensure the
Page 106
safety of members. In terms of the ability to respond to officers in trouble, there are mechanisms in place that enable rapid responses both locally and Territory-wide.
I believe also that management gives a deal of support to police in times of stress and when they have problems. In fact, the police management has taken a number of initiatives to provide support systems for police. Here I refer to the positions for an occupational health and safety officer, a part-time chaplain, who is funded to be available when needed, and there is also a retainer for a psychologist to be available when needed. I refer also to the equal opportunities policy. There are support activities in a number of areas.
Certainly, I would not stand here and say that everything is perfect in the police force because it is obvious that it is not and that we will never have a perfect world. I believe it is important for the Police Association to work with police management in attempting to identify problems and discussing the best ways of resolving them. I am sure that that will happen. I have commenced a process of dialogue with the Police Association to determine the areas in which the government needs to assess where it is heading and, in relation to policies, whether policy directions need changing to improve matters in relation to the police force.
Nevertheless, our police force is the best police force in Australia. The members who staff our police force are head and shoulders above any other Australian police force. I know that I have said it before, but I ask members not to jump the gun when individual policemen have problems. They should allow the normal processes of investigation to be pursued. I believe that, as a community, we need to support our police more than we do. Certainly, I have nothing but admiration for members of the police force.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016