❓ A parliamentary question regarding police officer pay in Western Australia is met with a strong rebuttal from the Minister, who claims the premise is incorrect and the WA police are competitively paid. The Minister accuses the questioner of relying on misinformation from the Police Union.
AnsweredQoN 996Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the minister to the fact that Western Australian police officers are among the lowest paid in Australia. (1) Is the minister aware that the Wood royal commission in New South Wales found that low relative pay rates for police officers detracted from efforts to attract and retain quality staff? (2) Is the minister also aware that, as a result of the Wood royal commission, New South Wales police officers were granted a major pay increase to reward professionalism and attract high-standard applicants? (3) Will the minister confirm estimations by the Western Australian Police Union that more than 80 specialist officers have left the Western Australia Police Service for the eastern States and overseas in the past 12 months? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) Unfortunately, the whole premise of the member for Kalgoorlie’s question is wrong. The fact of the matter is that Western Australian police officers are not among the lowest paid in the country. In fact, with the Government’s offer, the pay levels for most categories - from constable right through to the rank of superintendent - will be among the top two, three or four in the country. The pay rates for police officers in this State are already ahead of those in States like South Australia. The offer that the Government has made will put them largely on a par with officers in a State like Queensland. The premise of the question is wrong. Unfortunately, again the member for Kalgoorlie has not done his homework. He has not looked at the figures. He has been sucked in by the campaign that has been run by the Police Union, in which a number of incorrect claims have been made. Chief among those incorrect claims is that officers in this State are poorly paid and the lowest paid in the nation. Another part of the union claim that is incorrect is that for a first-year police officer, only a low wage and another $16 a week are involved. The wage that the union has been quoting and the $16 a week relate to recruits in training; the union is talking about the first six months while they are at the academy. When the union talks about constables, it continues to refer to that figure rather than the much higher figure that a senior constable, for example, would be paid. The member for Kalgoorlie should do his homework. If he looks at the current comparisons, he will see that police officers in this State are not by a long way the lowest paid in the nation. In fact, with the three per cent that has been offered, their pay will be considerably higher. In addition to that, the member has implied that, with the current pay levels, we are not able to recruit a high standard of applicant to the Police Service. I am pleased to report to the House that this State currently enjoys an exceptionally high standard of applicant to the Police Service. The member hardly ever goes to police graduation ceremonies. We have them nearly every month now. Maybe he finds it difficult to attend on a Friday. If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the graduation ceremony only last Friday - Hon Ray Halligan was there - and looked at the calibre of the recruits there, he would have seen - Mr M.J. Birney interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: That is what I said; the member for Kalgoorlie was not there. The member for Kalgoorlie has a different attitude from mine. When I was the opposition spokesperson on police I rarely missed a police graduation ceremony. The member for Kalgoorlie is the opposition spokesperson on police yet rarely makes it to the police graduation ceremonies, so he does not know who is being recruited. If he did go to those ceremonies, he would see the quality of the applicants. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! The interchange between members across the Chamber is very interesting but it is not allowing the minister to complete her answer. Mr M.J. Birney interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the police graduation ceremony held last Friday, he could have seen the quality of the applicants, who were listed in the booklet that is provided to everybody who attends those ceremonies. A large number of those applicants had tertiary qualifications; they had degrees in a range of areas. The applicants had excellent backgrounds. A full age range of applicants was represented, including people who were well into their 30s and who had a diversity of experience. They were exceptionally well-qualified people. In addition, the member for Kalgoorlie failed to acknowledge in his question that specialist police officers such as forensic officers and officers with special skills are being offered considerably more than the three per cent a year as part of the enterprise bargaining agreement offer. Those factors are built in. This Government acknowledges the value of this State’s police officers. That is why this is the first Government that has given police officers occupational health and safety coverage, which is something that the former Government promised for eight years but never delivered. For the first time, police officers who work in electorates such as the electorate of the member for Kalgoorlie are being offered a country incentives package. The Government has given extra amounts of $3 000 a year to officers based in some stations and $1 500 a year to others across 75 police stations throughout Western Australia. That is an additional incentive. In addition, the police budget has increased by $110 million since Labor came to government. That is a good story. This Government acknowledges the great efforts of our police officers. Negotiations are continuing. I hope that the EBA issue can be resolved in a short period.
(1) Is the minister aware that the Wood royal commission in New South Wales found that low relative pay rates for police officers detracted from efforts to attract and retain quality staff? (2) Is the minister also aware that, as a result of the Wood royal commission, New South Wales police officers were granted a major pay increase to reward professionalism and attract high-standard applicants? (3) Will the minister confirm estimations by the Western Australian Police Union that more than 80 specialist officers have left the Western Australia Police Service for the eastern States and overseas in the past 12 months? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) Unfortunately, the whole premise of the member for Kalgoorlie’s question is wrong. The fact of the matter is that Western Australian police officers are not among the lowest paid in the country. In fact, with the Government’s offer, the pay levels for most categories - from constable right through to the rank of superintendent - will be among the top two, three or four in the country. The pay rates for police officers in this State are already ahead of those in States like South Australia. The offer that the Government has made will put them largely on a par with officers in a State like Queensland. The premise of the question is wrong. Unfortunately, again the member for Kalgoorlie has not done his homework. He has not looked at the figures. He has been sucked in by the campaign that has been run by the Police Union, in which a number of incorrect claims have been made. Chief among those incorrect claims is that officers in this State are poorly paid and the lowest paid in the nation. Another part of the union claim that is incorrect is that for a first-year police officer, only a low wage and another $16 a week are involved. The wage that the union has been quoting and the $16 a week relate to recruits in training; the union is talking about the first six months while they are at the academy. When the union talks about constables, it continues to refer to that figure rather than the much higher figure that a senior constable, for example, would be paid. The member for Kalgoorlie should do his homework. If he looks at the current comparisons, he will see that police officers in this State are not by a long way the lowest paid in the nation. In fact, with the three per cent that has been offered, their pay will be considerably higher. In addition to that, the member has implied that, with the current pay levels, we are not able to recruit a high standard of applicant to the Police Service. I am pleased to report to the House that this State currently enjoys an exceptionally high standard of applicant to the Police Service. The member hardly ever goes to police graduation ceremonies. We have them nearly every month now. Maybe he finds it difficult to attend on a Friday. If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the graduation ceremony only last Friday - Hon Ray Halligan was there - and looked at the calibre of the recruits there, he would have seen - Mr M.J. Birney interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: That is what I said; the member for Kalgoorlie was not there. The member for Kalgoorlie has a different attitude from mine. When I was the opposition spokesperson on police I rarely missed a police graduation ceremony. The member for Kalgoorlie is the opposition spokesperson on police yet rarely makes it to the police graduation ceremonies, so he does not know who is being recruited. If he did go to those ceremonies, he would see the quality of the applicants. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! The interchange between members across the Chamber is very interesting but it is not allowing the minister to complete her answer. Mr M.J. Birney interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the police graduation ceremony held last Friday, he could have seen the quality of the applicants, who were listed in the booklet that is provided to everybody who attends those ceremonies. A large number of those applicants had tertiary qualifications; they had degrees in a range of areas. The applicants had excellent backgrounds. A full age range of applicants was represented, including people who were well into their 30s and who had a diversity of experience. They were exceptionally well-qualified people. In addition, the member for Kalgoorlie failed to acknowledge in his question that specialist police officers such as forensic officers and officers with special skills are being offered considerably more than the three per cent a year as part of the enterprise bargaining agreement offer. Those factors are built in. This Government acknowledges the value of this State’s police officers. That is why this is the first Government that has given police officers occupational health and safety coverage, which is something that the former Government promised for eight years but never delivered. For the first time, police officers who work in electorates such as the electorate of the member for Kalgoorlie are being offered a country incentives package. The Government has given extra amounts of $3 000 a year to officers based in some stations and $1 500 a year to others across 75 police stations throughout Western Australia. That is an additional incentive. In addition, the police budget has increased by $110 million since Labor came to government. That is a good story. This Government acknowledges the great efforts of our police officers. Negotiations are continuing. I hope that the EBA issue can be resolved in a short period.
(2) Is the minister also aware that, as a result of the Wood royal commission, New South Wales police officers were granted a major pay increase to reward professionalism and attract high-standard applicants? (3) Will the minister confirm estimations by the Western Australian Police Union that more than 80 specialist officers have left the Western Australia Police Service for the eastern States and overseas in the past 12 months? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) Unfortunately, the whole premise of the member for Kalgoorlie’s question is wrong. The fact of the matter is that Western Australian police officers are not among the lowest paid in the country. In fact, with the Government’s offer, the pay levels for most categories - from constable right through to the rank of superintendent - will be among the top two, three or four in the country. The pay rates for police officers in this State are already ahead of those in States like South Australia. The offer that the Government has made will put them largely on a par with officers in a State like Queensland. The premise of the question is wrong. Unfortunately, again the member for Kalgoorlie has not done his homework. He has not looked at the figures. He has been sucked in by the campaign that has been run by the Police Union, in which a number of incorrect claims have been made. Chief among those incorrect claims is that officers in this State are poorly paid and the lowest paid in the nation. Another part of the union claim that is incorrect is that for a first-year police officer, only a low wage and another $16 a week are involved. The wage that the union has been quoting and the $16 a week relate to recruits in training; the union is talking about the first six months while they are at the academy. When the union talks about constables, it continues to refer to that figure rather than the much higher figure that a senior constable, for example, would be paid. The member for Kalgoorlie should do his homework. If he looks at the current comparisons, he will see that police officers in this State are not by a long way the lowest paid in the nation. In fact, with the three per cent that has been offered, their pay will be considerably higher. In addition to that, the member has implied that, with the current pay levels, we are not able to recruit a high standard of applicant to the Police Service. I am pleased to report to the House that this State currently enjoys an exceptionally high standard of applicant to the Police Service. The member hardly ever goes to police graduation ceremonies. We have them nearly every month now. Maybe he finds it difficult to attend on a Friday. If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the graduation ceremony only last Friday - Hon Ray Halligan was there - and looked at the calibre of the recruits there, he would have seen - Mr M.J. Birney interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: That is what I said; the member for Kalgoorlie was not there. The member for Kalgoorlie has a different attitude from mine. When I was the opposition spokesperson on police I rarely missed a police graduation ceremony. The member for Kalgoorlie is the opposition spokesperson on police yet rarely makes it to the police graduation ceremonies, so he does not know who is being recruited. If he did go to those ceremonies, he would see the quality of the applicants. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! The interchange between members across the Chamber is very interesting but it is not allowing the minister to complete her answer. Mr M.J. Birney interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the police graduation ceremony held last Friday, he could have seen the quality of the applicants, who were listed in the booklet that is provided to everybody who attends those ceremonies. A large number of those applicants had tertiary qualifications; they had degrees in a range of areas. The applicants had excellent backgrounds. A full age range of applicants was represented, including people who were well into their 30s and who had a diversity of experience. They were exceptionally well-qualified people. In addition, the member for Kalgoorlie failed to acknowledge in his question that specialist police officers such as forensic officers and officers with special skills are being offered considerably more than the three per cent a year as part of the enterprise bargaining agreement offer. Those factors are built in. This Government acknowledges the value of this State’s police officers. That is why this is the first Government that has given police officers occupational health and safety coverage, which is something that the former Government promised for eight years but never delivered. For the first time, police officers who work in electorates such as the electorate of the member for Kalgoorlie are being offered a country incentives package. The Government has given extra amounts of $3 000 a year to officers based in some stations and $1 500 a year to others across 75 police stations throughout Western Australia. That is an additional incentive. In addition, the police budget has increased by $110 million since Labor came to government. That is a good story. This Government acknowledges the great efforts of our police officers. Negotiations are continuing. I hope that the EBA issue can be resolved in a short period.
(3) Will the minister confirm estimations by the Western Australian Police Union that more than 80 specialist officers have left the Western Australia Police Service for the eastern States and overseas in the past 12 months? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) Unfortunately, the whole premise of the member for Kalgoorlie’s question is wrong. The fact of the matter is that Western Australian police officers are not among the lowest paid in the country. In fact, with the Government’s offer, the pay levels for most categories - from constable right through to the rank of superintendent - will be among the top two, three or four in the country. The pay rates for police officers in this State are already ahead of those in States like South Australia. The offer that the Government has made will put them largely on a par with officers in a State like Queensland. The premise of the question is wrong. Unfortunately, again the member for Kalgoorlie has not done his homework. He has not looked at the figures. He has been sucked in by the campaign that has been run by the Police Union, in which a number of incorrect claims have been made. Chief among those incorrect claims is that officers in this State are poorly paid and the lowest paid in the nation. Another part of the union claim that is incorrect is that for a first-year police officer, only a low wage and another $16 a week are involved. The wage that the union has been quoting and the $16 a week relate to recruits in training; the union is talking about the first six months while they are at the academy. When the union talks about constables, it continues to refer to that figure rather than the much higher figure that a senior constable, for example, would be paid. The member for Kalgoorlie should do his homework. If he looks at the current comparisons, he will see that police officers in this State are not by a long way the lowest paid in the nation. In fact, with the three per cent that has been offered, their pay will be considerably higher. In addition to that, the member has implied that, with the current pay levels, we are not able to recruit a high standard of applicant to the Police Service. I am pleased to report to the House that this State currently enjoys an exceptionally high standard of applicant to the Police Service. The member hardly ever goes to police graduation ceremonies. We have them nearly every month now. Maybe he finds it difficult to attend on a Friday. If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the graduation ceremony only last Friday - Hon Ray Halligan was there - and looked at the calibre of the recruits there, he would have seen - Mr M.J. Birney interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: That is what I said; the member for Kalgoorlie was not there. The member for Kalgoorlie has a different attitude from mine. When I was the opposition spokesperson on police I rarely missed a police graduation ceremony. The member for Kalgoorlie is the opposition spokesperson on police yet rarely makes it to the police graduation ceremonies, so he does not know who is being recruited. If he did go to those ceremonies, he would see the quality of the applicants. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! The interchange between members across the Chamber is very interesting but it is not allowing the minister to complete her answer. Mr M.J. Birney interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the police graduation ceremony held last Friday, he could have seen the quality of the applicants, who were listed in the booklet that is provided to everybody who attends those ceremonies. A large number of those applicants had tertiary qualifications; they had degrees in a range of areas. The applicants had excellent backgrounds. A full age range of applicants was represented, including people who were well into their 30s and who had a diversity of experience. They were exceptionally well-qualified people. In addition, the member for Kalgoorlie failed to acknowledge in his question that specialist police officers such as forensic officers and officers with special skills are being offered considerably more than the three per cent a year as part of the enterprise bargaining agreement offer. Those factors are built in. This Government acknowledges the value of this State’s police officers. That is why this is the first Government that has given police officers occupational health and safety coverage, which is something that the former Government promised for eight years but never delivered. For the first time, police officers who work in electorates such as the electorate of the member for Kalgoorlie are being offered a country incentives package. The Government has given extra amounts of $3 000 a year to officers based in some stations and $1 500 a year to others across 75 police stations throughout Western Australia. That is an additional incentive. In addition, the police budget has increased by $110 million since Labor came to government. That is a good story. This Government acknowledges the great efforts of our police officers. Negotiations are continuing. I hope that the EBA issue can be resolved in a short period.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) Unfortunately, the whole premise of the member for Kalgoorlie’s question is wrong. The fact of the matter is that Western Australian police officers are not among the lowest paid in the country. In fact, with the Government’s offer, the pay levels for most categories - from constable right through to the rank of superintendent - will be among the top two, three or four in the country. The pay rates for police officers in this State are already ahead of those in States like South Australia. The offer that the Government has made will put them largely on a par with officers in a State like Queensland. The premise of the question is wrong. Unfortunately, again the member for Kalgoorlie has not done his homework. He has not looked at the figures. He has been sucked in by the campaign that has been run by the Police Union, in which a number of incorrect claims have been made. Chief among those incorrect claims is that officers in this State are poorly paid and the lowest paid in the nation. Another part of the union claim that is incorrect is that for a first-year police officer, only a low wage and another $16 a week are involved. The wage that the union has been quoting and the $16 a week relate to recruits in training; the union is talking about the first six months while they are at the academy. When the union talks about constables, it continues to refer to that figure rather than the much higher figure that a senior constable, for example, would be paid. The member for Kalgoorlie should do his homework. If he looks at the current comparisons, he will see that police officers in this State are not by a long way the lowest paid in the nation. In fact, with the three per cent that has been offered, their pay will be considerably higher. In addition to that, the member has implied that, with the current pay levels, we are not able to recruit a high standard of applicant to the Police Service. I am pleased to report to the House that this State currently enjoys an exceptionally high standard of applicant to the Police Service. The member hardly ever goes to police graduation ceremonies. We have them nearly every month now. Maybe he finds it difficult to attend on a Friday. If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the graduation ceremony only last Friday - Hon Ray Halligan was there - and looked at the calibre of the recruits there, he would have seen - Mr M.J. Birney interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: That is what I said; the member for Kalgoorlie was not there. The member for Kalgoorlie has a different attitude from mine. When I was the opposition spokesperson on police I rarely missed a police graduation ceremony. The member for Kalgoorlie is the opposition spokesperson on police yet rarely makes it to the police graduation ceremonies, so he does not know who is being recruited. If he did go to those ceremonies, he would see the quality of the applicants. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! The interchange between members across the Chamber is very interesting but it is not allowing the minister to complete her answer. Mr M.J. Birney interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the police graduation ceremony held last Friday, he could have seen the quality of the applicants, who were listed in the booklet that is provided to everybody who attends those ceremonies. A large number of those applicants had tertiary qualifications; they had degrees in a range of areas. The applicants had excellent backgrounds. A full age range of applicants was represented, including people who were well into their 30s and who had a diversity of experience. They were exceptionally well-qualified people. In addition, the member for Kalgoorlie failed to acknowledge in his question that specialist police officers such as forensic officers and officers with special skills are being offered considerably more than the three per cent a year as part of the enterprise bargaining agreement offer. Those factors are built in. This Government acknowledges the value of this State’s police officers. That is why this is the first Government that has given police officers occupational health and safety coverage, which is something that the former Government promised for eight years but never delivered. For the first time, police officers who work in electorates such as the electorate of the member for Kalgoorlie are being offered a country incentives package. The Government has given extra amounts of $3 000 a year to officers based in some stations and $1 500 a year to others across 75 police stations throughout Western Australia. That is an additional incentive. In addition, the police budget has increased by $110 million since Labor came to government. That is a good story. This Government acknowledges the great efforts of our police officers. Negotiations are continuing. I hope that the EBA issue can be resolved in a short period.
(1)-(3) Unfortunately, the whole premise of the member for Kalgoorlie’s question is wrong. The fact of the matter is that Western Australian police officers are not among the lowest paid in the country. In fact, with the Government’s offer, the pay levels for most categories - from constable right through to the rank of superintendent - will be among the top two, three or four in the country. The pay rates for police officers in this State are already ahead of those in States like South Australia. The offer that the Government has made will put them largely on a par with officers in a State like Queensland. The premise of the question is wrong. Unfortunately, again the member for Kalgoorlie has not done his homework. He has not looked at the figures. He has been sucked in by the campaign that has been run by the Police Union, in which a number of incorrect claims have been made. Chief among those incorrect claims is that officers in this State are poorly paid and the lowest paid in the nation. Another part of the union claim that is incorrect is that for a first-year police officer, only a low wage and another $16 a week are involved. The wage that the union has been quoting and the $16 a week relate to recruits in training; the union is talking about the first six months while they are at the academy. When the union talks about constables, it continues to refer to that figure rather than the much higher figure that a senior constable, for example, would be paid. The member for Kalgoorlie should do his homework. If he looks at the current comparisons, he will see that police officers in this State are not by a long way the lowest paid in the nation. In fact, with the three per cent that has been offered, their pay will be considerably higher. In addition to that, the member has implied that, with the current pay levels, we are not able to recruit a high standard of applicant to the Police Service. I am pleased to report to the House that this State currently enjoys an exceptionally high standard of applicant to the Police Service. The member hardly ever goes to police graduation ceremonies. We have them nearly every month now. Maybe he finds it difficult to attend on a Friday. If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the graduation ceremony only last Friday - Hon Ray Halligan was there - and looked at the calibre of the recruits there, he would have seen - Mr M.J. Birney interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: That is what I said; the member for Kalgoorlie was not there. The member for Kalgoorlie has a different attitude from mine. When I was the opposition spokesperson on police I rarely missed a police graduation ceremony. The member for Kalgoorlie is the opposition spokesperson on police yet rarely makes it to the police graduation ceremonies, so he does not know who is being recruited. If he did go to those ceremonies, he would see the quality of the applicants. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! The interchange between members across the Chamber is very interesting but it is not allowing the minister to complete her answer. Mr M.J. Birney interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the police graduation ceremony held last Friday, he could have seen the quality of the applicants, who were listed in the booklet that is provided to everybody who attends those ceremonies. A large number of those applicants had tertiary qualifications; they had degrees in a range of areas. The applicants had excellent backgrounds. A full age range of applicants was represented, including people who were well into their 30s and who had a diversity of experience. They were exceptionally well-qualified people. In addition, the member for Kalgoorlie failed to acknowledge in his question that specialist police officers such as forensic officers and officers with special skills are being offered considerably more than the three per cent a year as part of the enterprise bargaining agreement offer. Those factors are built in. This Government acknowledges the value of this State’s police officers. That is why this is the first Government that has given police officers occupational health and safety coverage, which is something that the former Government promised for eight years but never delivered. For the first time, police officers who work in electorates such as the electorate of the member for Kalgoorlie are being offered a country incentives package. The Government has given extra amounts of $3 000 a year to officers based in some stations and $1 500 a year to others across 75 police stations throughout Western Australia. That is an additional incentive. In addition, the police budget has increased by $110 million since Labor came to government. That is a good story. This Government acknowledges the great efforts of our police officers. Negotiations are continuing. I hope that the EBA issue can be resolved in a short period.
The member for Kalgoorlie should do his homework. If he looks at the current comparisons, he will see that police officers in this State are not by a long way the lowest paid in the nation. In fact, with the three per cent that has been offered, their pay will be considerably higher. In addition to that, the member has implied that, with the current pay levels, we are not able to recruit a high standard of applicant to the Police Service. I am pleased to report to the House that this State currently enjoys an exceptionally high standard of applicant to the Police Service. The member hardly ever goes to police graduation ceremonies. We have them nearly every month now. Maybe he finds it difficult to attend on a Friday. If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the graduation ceremony only last Friday - Hon Ray Halligan was there - and looked at the calibre of the recruits there, he would have seen - Mr M.J. Birney interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: That is what I said; the member for Kalgoorlie was not there. The member for Kalgoorlie has a different attitude from mine. When I was the opposition spokesperson on police I rarely missed a police graduation ceremony. The member for Kalgoorlie is the opposition spokesperson on police yet rarely makes it to the police graduation ceremonies, so he does not know who is being recruited. If he did go to those ceremonies, he would see the quality of the applicants. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! The interchange between members across the Chamber is very interesting but it is not allowing the minister to complete her answer. Mr M.J. Birney interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the police graduation ceremony held last Friday, he could have seen the quality of the applicants, who were listed in the booklet that is provided to everybody who attends those ceremonies. A large number of those applicants had tertiary qualifications; they had degrees in a range of areas. The applicants had excellent backgrounds. A full age range of applicants was represented, including people who were well into their 30s and who had a diversity of experience. They were exceptionally well-qualified people. In addition, the member for Kalgoorlie failed to acknowledge in his question that specialist police officers such as forensic officers and officers with special skills are being offered considerably more than the three per cent a year as part of the enterprise bargaining agreement offer. Those factors are built in. This Government acknowledges the value of this State’s police officers. That is why this is the first Government that has given police officers occupational health and safety coverage, which is something that the former Government promised for eight years but never delivered. For the first time, police officers who work in electorates such as the electorate of the member for Kalgoorlie are being offered a country incentives package. The Government has given extra amounts of $3 000 a year to officers based in some stations and $1 500 a year to others across 75 police stations throughout Western Australia. That is an additional incentive. In addition, the police budget has increased by $110 million since Labor came to government. That is a good story. This Government acknowledges the great efforts of our police officers. Negotiations are continuing. I hope that the EBA issue can be resolved in a short period.
Mr M.J. Birney interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: That is what I said; the member for Kalgoorlie was not there. The member for Kalgoorlie has a different attitude from mine. When I was the opposition spokesperson on police I rarely missed a police graduation ceremony. The member for Kalgoorlie is the opposition spokesperson on police yet rarely makes it to the police graduation ceremonies, so he does not know who is being recruited. If he did go to those ceremonies, he would see the quality of the applicants. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! The interchange between members across the Chamber is very interesting but it is not allowing the minister to complete her answer. Mr M.J. Birney interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the police graduation ceremony held last Friday, he could have seen the quality of the applicants, who were listed in the booklet that is provided to everybody who attends those ceremonies. A large number of those applicants had tertiary qualifications; they had degrees in a range of areas. The applicants had excellent backgrounds. A full age range of applicants was represented, including people who were well into their 30s and who had a diversity of experience. They were exceptionally well-qualified people. In addition, the member for Kalgoorlie failed to acknowledge in his question that specialist police officers such as forensic officers and officers with special skills are being offered considerably more than the three per cent a year as part of the enterprise bargaining agreement offer. Those factors are built in. This Government acknowledges the value of this State’s police officers. That is why this is the first Government that has given police officers occupational health and safety coverage, which is something that the former Government promised for eight years but never delivered. For the first time, police officers who work in electorates such as the electorate of the member for Kalgoorlie are being offered a country incentives package. The Government has given extra amounts of $3 000 a year to officers based in some stations and $1 500 a year to others across 75 police stations throughout Western Australia. That is an additional incentive. In addition, the police budget has increased by $110 million since Labor came to government. That is a good story. This Government acknowledges the great efforts of our police officers. Negotiations are continuing. I hope that the EBA issue can be resolved in a short period.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: That is what I said; the member for Kalgoorlie was not there. The member for Kalgoorlie has a different attitude from mine. When I was the opposition spokesperson on police I rarely missed a police graduation ceremony. The member for Kalgoorlie is the opposition spokesperson on police yet rarely makes it to the police graduation ceremonies, so he does not know who is being recruited. If he did go to those ceremonies, he would see the quality of the applicants. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! The interchange between members across the Chamber is very interesting but it is not allowing the minister to complete her answer. Mr M.J. Birney interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the police graduation ceremony held last Friday, he could have seen the quality of the applicants, who were listed in the booklet that is provided to everybody who attends those ceremonies. A large number of those applicants had tertiary qualifications; they had degrees in a range of areas. The applicants had excellent backgrounds. A full age range of applicants was represented, including people who were well into their 30s and who had a diversity of experience. They were exceptionally well-qualified people. In addition, the member for Kalgoorlie failed to acknowledge in his question that specialist police officers such as forensic officers and officers with special skills are being offered considerably more than the three per cent a year as part of the enterprise bargaining agreement offer. Those factors are built in. This Government acknowledges the value of this State’s police officers. That is why this is the first Government that has given police officers occupational health and safety coverage, which is something that the former Government promised for eight years but never delivered. For the first time, police officers who work in electorates such as the electorate of the member for Kalgoorlie are being offered a country incentives package. The Government has given extra amounts of $3 000 a year to officers based in some stations and $1 500 a year to others across 75 police stations throughout Western Australia. That is an additional incentive. In addition, the police budget has increased by $110 million since Labor came to government. That is a good story. This Government acknowledges the great efforts of our police officers. Negotiations are continuing. I hope that the EBA issue can be resolved in a short period.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! The interchange between members across the Chamber is very interesting but it is not allowing the minister to complete her answer. Mr M.J. Birney interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the police graduation ceremony held last Friday, he could have seen the quality of the applicants, who were listed in the booklet that is provided to everybody who attends those ceremonies. A large number of those applicants had tertiary qualifications; they had degrees in a range of areas. The applicants had excellent backgrounds. A full age range of applicants was represented, including people who were well into their 30s and who had a diversity of experience. They were exceptionally well-qualified people. In addition, the member for Kalgoorlie failed to acknowledge in his question that specialist police officers such as forensic officers and officers with special skills are being offered considerably more than the three per cent a year as part of the enterprise bargaining agreement offer. Those factors are built in. This Government acknowledges the value of this State’s police officers. That is why this is the first Government that has given police officers occupational health and safety coverage, which is something that the former Government promised for eight years but never delivered. For the first time, police officers who work in electorates such as the electorate of the member for Kalgoorlie are being offered a country incentives package. The Government has given extra amounts of $3 000 a year to officers based in some stations and $1 500 a year to others across 75 police stations throughout Western Australia. That is an additional incentive. In addition, the police budget has increased by $110 million since Labor came to government. That is a good story. This Government acknowledges the great efforts of our police officers. Negotiations are continuing. I hope that the EBA issue can be resolved in a short period.
The SPEAKER: Members! The interchange between members across the Chamber is very interesting but it is not allowing the minister to complete her answer. Mr M.J. Birney interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the police graduation ceremony held last Friday, he could have seen the quality of the applicants, who were listed in the booklet that is provided to everybody who attends those ceremonies. A large number of those applicants had tertiary qualifications; they had degrees in a range of areas. The applicants had excellent backgrounds. A full age range of applicants was represented, including people who were well into their 30s and who had a diversity of experience. They were exceptionally well-qualified people. In addition, the member for Kalgoorlie failed to acknowledge in his question that specialist police officers such as forensic officers and officers with special skills are being offered considerably more than the three per cent a year as part of the enterprise bargaining agreement offer. Those factors are built in. This Government acknowledges the value of this State’s police officers. That is why this is the first Government that has given police officers occupational health and safety coverage, which is something that the former Government promised for eight years but never delivered. For the first time, police officers who work in electorates such as the electorate of the member for Kalgoorlie are being offered a country incentives package. The Government has given extra amounts of $3 000 a year to officers based in some stations and $1 500 a year to others across 75 police stations throughout Western Australia. That is an additional incentive. In addition, the police budget has increased by $110 million since Labor came to government. That is a good story. This Government acknowledges the great efforts of our police officers. Negotiations are continuing. I hope that the EBA issue can be resolved in a short period.
Mr M.J. Birney interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the police graduation ceremony held last Friday, he could have seen the quality of the applicants, who were listed in the booklet that is provided to everybody who attends those ceremonies. A large number of those applicants had tertiary qualifications; they had degrees in a range of areas. The applicants had excellent backgrounds. A full age range of applicants was represented, including people who were well into their 30s and who had a diversity of experience. They were exceptionally well-qualified people. In addition, the member for Kalgoorlie failed to acknowledge in his question that specialist police officers such as forensic officers and officers with special skills are being offered considerably more than the three per cent a year as part of the enterprise bargaining agreement offer. Those factors are built in. This Government acknowledges the value of this State’s police officers. That is why this is the first Government that has given police officers occupational health and safety coverage, which is something that the former Government promised for eight years but never delivered. For the first time, police officers who work in electorates such as the electorate of the member for Kalgoorlie are being offered a country incentives package. The Government has given extra amounts of $3 000 a year to officers based in some stations and $1 500 a year to others across 75 police stations throughout Western Australia. That is an additional incentive. In addition, the police budget has increased by $110 million since Labor came to government. That is a good story. This Government acknowledges the great efforts of our police officers. Negotiations are continuing. I hope that the EBA issue can be resolved in a short period.
The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the police graduation ceremony held last Friday, he could have seen the quality of the applicants, who were listed in the booklet that is provided to everybody who attends those ceremonies. A large number of those applicants had tertiary qualifications; they had degrees in a range of areas. The applicants had excellent backgrounds. A full age range of applicants was represented, including people who were well into their 30s and who had a diversity of experience. They were exceptionally well-qualified people. In addition, the member for Kalgoorlie failed to acknowledge in his question that specialist police officers such as forensic officers and officers with special skills are being offered considerably more than the three per cent a year as part of the enterprise bargaining agreement offer. Those factors are built in. This Government acknowledges the value of this State’s police officers. That is why this is the first Government that has given police officers occupational health and safety coverage, which is something that the former Government promised for eight years but never delivered. For the first time, police officers who work in electorates such as the electorate of the member for Kalgoorlie are being offered a country incentives package. The Government has given extra amounts of $3 000 a year to officers based in some stations and $1 500 a year to others across 75 police stations throughout Western Australia. That is an additional incentive. In addition, the police budget has increased by $110 million since Labor came to government. That is a good story. This Government acknowledges the great efforts of our police officers. Negotiations are continuing. I hope that the EBA issue can be resolved in a short period.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the police graduation ceremony held last Friday, he could have seen the quality of the applicants, who were listed in the booklet that is provided to everybody who attends those ceremonies. A large number of those applicants had tertiary qualifications; they had degrees in a range of areas. The applicants had excellent backgrounds. A full age range of applicants was represented, including people who were well into their 30s and who had a diversity of experience. They were exceptionally well-qualified people. In addition, the member for Kalgoorlie failed to acknowledge in his question that specialist police officers such as forensic officers and officers with special skills are being offered considerably more than the three per cent a year as part of the enterprise bargaining agreement offer. Those factors are built in. This Government acknowledges the value of this State’s police officers. That is why this is the first Government that has given police officers occupational health and safety coverage, which is something that the former Government promised for eight years but never delivered. For the first time, police officers who work in electorates such as the electorate of the member for Kalgoorlie are being offered a country incentives package. The Government has given extra amounts of $3 000 a year to officers based in some stations and $1 500 a year to others across 75 police stations throughout Western Australia. That is an additional incentive. In addition, the police budget has increased by $110 million since Labor came to government. That is a good story. This Government acknowledges the great efforts of our police officers. Negotiations are continuing. I hope that the EBA issue can be resolved in a short period.
In addition, the member for Kalgoorlie failed to acknowledge in his question that specialist police officers such as forensic officers and officers with special skills are being offered considerably more than the three per cent a year as part of the enterprise bargaining agreement offer. Those factors are built in. This Government acknowledges the value of this State’s police officers. That is why this is the first Government that has given police officers occupational health and safety coverage, which is something that the former Government promised for eight years but never delivered. For the first time, police officers who work in electorates such as the electorate of the member for Kalgoorlie are being offered a country incentives package. The Government has given extra amounts of $3 000 a year to officers based in some stations and $1 500 a year to others across 75 police stations throughout Western Australia. That is an additional incentive. In addition, the police budget has increased by $110 million since Labor came to government. That is a good story. This Government acknowledges the great efforts of our police officers. Negotiations are continuing. I hope that the EBA issue can be resolved in a short period.
(1) Is the minister aware that the Wood royal commission in New South Wales found that low relative pay rates for police officers detracted from efforts to attract and retain quality staff? (2) Is the minister also aware that, as a result of the Wood royal commission, New South Wales police officers were granted a major pay increase to reward professionalism and attract high-standard applicants? (3) Will the minister confirm estimations by the Western Australian Police Union that more than 80 specialist officers have left the Western Australia Police Service for the eastern States and overseas in the past 12 months? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) Unfortunately, the whole premise of the member for Kalgoorlie’s question is wrong. The fact of the matter is that Western Australian police officers are not among the lowest paid in the country. In fact, with the Government’s offer, the pay levels for most categories - from constable right through to the rank of superintendent - will be among the top two, three or four in the country. The pay rates for police officers in this State are already ahead of those in States like South Australia. The offer that the Government has made will put them largely on a par with officers in a State like Queensland. The premise of the question is wrong. Unfortunately, again the member for Kalgoorlie has not done his homework. He has not looked at the figures. He has been sucked in by the campaign that has been run by the Police Union, in which a number of incorrect claims have been made. Chief among those incorrect claims is that officers in this State are poorly paid and the lowest paid in the nation. Another part of the union claim that is incorrect is that for a first-year police officer, only a low wage and another $16 a week are involved. The wage that the union has been quoting and the $16 a week relate to recruits in training; the union is talking about the first six months while they are at the academy. When the union talks about constables, it continues to refer to that figure rather than the much higher figure that a senior constable, for example, would be paid. The member for Kalgoorlie should do his homework. If he looks at the current comparisons, he will see that police officers in this State are not by a long way the lowest paid in the nation. In fact, with the three per cent that has been offered, their pay will be considerably higher. In addition to that, the member has implied that, with the current pay levels, we are not able to recruit a high standard of applicant to the Police Service. I am pleased to report to the House that this State currently enjoys an exceptionally high standard of applicant to the Police Service. The member hardly ever goes to police graduation ceremonies. We have them nearly every month now. Maybe he finds it difficult to attend on a Friday. If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the graduation ceremony only last Friday - Hon Ray Halligan was there - and looked at the calibre of the recruits there, he would have seen - Mr M.J. Birney interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: That is what I said; the member for Kalgoorlie was not there. The member for Kalgoorlie has a different attitude from mine. When I was the opposition spokesperson on police I rarely missed a police graduation ceremony. The member for Kalgoorlie is the opposition spokesperson on police yet rarely makes it to the police graduation ceremonies, so he does not know who is being recruited. If he did go to those ceremonies, he would see the quality of the applicants. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! The interchange between members across the Chamber is very interesting but it is not allowing the minister to complete her answer. Mr M.J. Birney interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the police graduation ceremony held last Friday, he could have seen the quality of the applicants, who were listed in the booklet that is provided to everybody who attends those ceremonies. A large number of those applicants had tertiary qualifications; they had degrees in a range of areas. The applicants had excellent backgrounds. A full age range of applicants was represented, including people who were well into their 30s and who had a diversity of experience. They were exceptionally well-qualified people. In addition, the member for Kalgoorlie failed to acknowledge in his question that specialist police officers such as forensic officers and officers with special skills are being offered considerably more than the three per cent a year as part of the enterprise bargaining agreement offer. Those factors are built in. This Government acknowledges the value of this State’s police officers. That is why this is the first Government that has given police officers occupational health and safety coverage, which is something that the former Government promised for eight years but never delivered. For the first time, police officers who work in electorates such as the electorate of the member for Kalgoorlie are being offered a country incentives package. The Government has given extra amounts of $3 000 a year to officers based in some stations and $1 500 a year to others across 75 police stations throughout Western Australia. That is an additional incentive. In addition, the police budget has increased by $110 million since Labor came to government. That is a good story. This Government acknowledges the great efforts of our police officers. Negotiations are continuing. I hope that the EBA issue can be resolved in a short period.
(2) Is the minister also aware that, as a result of the Wood royal commission, New South Wales police officers were granted a major pay increase to reward professionalism and attract high-standard applicants? (3) Will the minister confirm estimations by the Western Australian Police Union that more than 80 specialist officers have left the Western Australia Police Service for the eastern States and overseas in the past 12 months? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) Unfortunately, the whole premise of the member for Kalgoorlie’s question is wrong. The fact of the matter is that Western Australian police officers are not among the lowest paid in the country. In fact, with the Government’s offer, the pay levels for most categories - from constable right through to the rank of superintendent - will be among the top two, three or four in the country. The pay rates for police officers in this State are already ahead of those in States like South Australia. The offer that the Government has made will put them largely on a par with officers in a State like Queensland. The premise of the question is wrong. Unfortunately, again the member for Kalgoorlie has not done his homework. He has not looked at the figures. He has been sucked in by the campaign that has been run by the Police Union, in which a number of incorrect claims have been made. Chief among those incorrect claims is that officers in this State are poorly paid and the lowest paid in the nation. Another part of the union claim that is incorrect is that for a first-year police officer, only a low wage and another $16 a week are involved. The wage that the union has been quoting and the $16 a week relate to recruits in training; the union is talking about the first six months while they are at the academy. When the union talks about constables, it continues to refer to that figure rather than the much higher figure that a senior constable, for example, would be paid. The member for Kalgoorlie should do his homework. If he looks at the current comparisons, he will see that police officers in this State are not by a long way the lowest paid in the nation. In fact, with the three per cent that has been offered, their pay will be considerably higher. In addition to that, the member has implied that, with the current pay levels, we are not able to recruit a high standard of applicant to the Police Service. I am pleased to report to the House that this State currently enjoys an exceptionally high standard of applicant to the Police Service. The member hardly ever goes to police graduation ceremonies. We have them nearly every month now. Maybe he finds it difficult to attend on a Friday. If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the graduation ceremony only last Friday - Hon Ray Halligan was there - and looked at the calibre of the recruits there, he would have seen - Mr M.J. Birney interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: That is what I said; the member for Kalgoorlie was not there. The member for Kalgoorlie has a different attitude from mine. When I was the opposition spokesperson on police I rarely missed a police graduation ceremony. The member for Kalgoorlie is the opposition spokesperson on police yet rarely makes it to the police graduation ceremonies, so he does not know who is being recruited. If he did go to those ceremonies, he would see the quality of the applicants. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! The interchange between members across the Chamber is very interesting but it is not allowing the minister to complete her answer. Mr M.J. Birney interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the police graduation ceremony held last Friday, he could have seen the quality of the applicants, who were listed in the booklet that is provided to everybody who attends those ceremonies. A large number of those applicants had tertiary qualifications; they had degrees in a range of areas. The applicants had excellent backgrounds. A full age range of applicants was represented, including people who were well into their 30s and who had a diversity of experience. They were exceptionally well-qualified people. In addition, the member for Kalgoorlie failed to acknowledge in his question that specialist police officers such as forensic officers and officers with special skills are being offered considerably more than the three per cent a year as part of the enterprise bargaining agreement offer. Those factors are built in. This Government acknowledges the value of this State’s police officers. That is why this is the first Government that has given police officers occupational health and safety coverage, which is something that the former Government promised for eight years but never delivered. For the first time, police officers who work in electorates such as the electorate of the member for Kalgoorlie are being offered a country incentives package. The Government has given extra amounts of $3 000 a year to officers based in some stations and $1 500 a year to others across 75 police stations throughout Western Australia. That is an additional incentive. In addition, the police budget has increased by $110 million since Labor came to government. That is a good story. This Government acknowledges the great efforts of our police officers. Negotiations are continuing. I hope that the EBA issue can be resolved in a short period.
(3) Will the minister confirm estimations by the Western Australian Police Union that more than 80 specialist officers have left the Western Australia Police Service for the eastern States and overseas in the past 12 months? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) Unfortunately, the whole premise of the member for Kalgoorlie’s question is wrong. The fact of the matter is that Western Australian police officers are not among the lowest paid in the country. In fact, with the Government’s offer, the pay levels for most categories - from constable right through to the rank of superintendent - will be among the top two, three or four in the country. The pay rates for police officers in this State are already ahead of those in States like South Australia. The offer that the Government has made will put them largely on a par with officers in a State like Queensland. The premise of the question is wrong. Unfortunately, again the member for Kalgoorlie has not done his homework. He has not looked at the figures. He has been sucked in by the campaign that has been run by the Police Union, in which a number of incorrect claims have been made. Chief among those incorrect claims is that officers in this State are poorly paid and the lowest paid in the nation. Another part of the union claim that is incorrect is that for a first-year police officer, only a low wage and another $16 a week are involved. The wage that the union has been quoting and the $16 a week relate to recruits in training; the union is talking about the first six months while they are at the academy. When the union talks about constables, it continues to refer to that figure rather than the much higher figure that a senior constable, for example, would be paid. The member for Kalgoorlie should do his homework. If he looks at the current comparisons, he will see that police officers in this State are not by a long way the lowest paid in the nation. In fact, with the three per cent that has been offered, their pay will be considerably higher. In addition to that, the member has implied that, with the current pay levels, we are not able to recruit a high standard of applicant to the Police Service. I am pleased to report to the House that this State currently enjoys an exceptionally high standard of applicant to the Police Service. The member hardly ever goes to police graduation ceremonies. We have them nearly every month now. Maybe he finds it difficult to attend on a Friday. If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the graduation ceremony only last Friday - Hon Ray Halligan was there - and looked at the calibre of the recruits there, he would have seen - Mr M.J. Birney interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: That is what I said; the member for Kalgoorlie was not there. The member for Kalgoorlie has a different attitude from mine. When I was the opposition spokesperson on police I rarely missed a police graduation ceremony. The member for Kalgoorlie is the opposition spokesperson on police yet rarely makes it to the police graduation ceremonies, so he does not know who is being recruited. If he did go to those ceremonies, he would see the quality of the applicants. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! The interchange between members across the Chamber is very interesting but it is not allowing the minister to complete her answer. Mr M.J. Birney interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the police graduation ceremony held last Friday, he could have seen the quality of the applicants, who were listed in the booklet that is provided to everybody who attends those ceremonies. A large number of those applicants had tertiary qualifications; they had degrees in a range of areas. The applicants had excellent backgrounds. A full age range of applicants was represented, including people who were well into their 30s and who had a diversity of experience. They were exceptionally well-qualified people. In addition, the member for Kalgoorlie failed to acknowledge in his question that specialist police officers such as forensic officers and officers with special skills are being offered considerably more than the three per cent a year as part of the enterprise bargaining agreement offer. Those factors are built in. This Government acknowledges the value of this State’s police officers. That is why this is the first Government that has given police officers occupational health and safety coverage, which is something that the former Government promised for eight years but never delivered. For the first time, police officers who work in electorates such as the electorate of the member for Kalgoorlie are being offered a country incentives package. The Government has given extra amounts of $3 000 a year to officers based in some stations and $1 500 a year to others across 75 police stations throughout Western Australia. That is an additional incentive. In addition, the police budget has increased by $110 million since Labor came to government. That is a good story. This Government acknowledges the great efforts of our police officers. Negotiations are continuing. I hope that the EBA issue can be resolved in a short period.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(3) Unfortunately, the whole premise of the member for Kalgoorlie’s question is wrong. The fact of the matter is that Western Australian police officers are not among the lowest paid in the country. In fact, with the Government’s offer, the pay levels for most categories - from constable right through to the rank of superintendent - will be among the top two, three or four in the country. The pay rates for police officers in this State are already ahead of those in States like South Australia. The offer that the Government has made will put them largely on a par with officers in a State like Queensland. The premise of the question is wrong. Unfortunately, again the member for Kalgoorlie has not done his homework. He has not looked at the figures. He has been sucked in by the campaign that has been run by the Police Union, in which a number of incorrect claims have been made. Chief among those incorrect claims is that officers in this State are poorly paid and the lowest paid in the nation. Another part of the union claim that is incorrect is that for a first-year police officer, only a low wage and another $16 a week are involved. The wage that the union has been quoting and the $16 a week relate to recruits in training; the union is talking about the first six months while they are at the academy. When the union talks about constables, it continues to refer to that figure rather than the much higher figure that a senior constable, for example, would be paid. The member for Kalgoorlie should do his homework. If he looks at the current comparisons, he will see that police officers in this State are not by a long way the lowest paid in the nation. In fact, with the three per cent that has been offered, their pay will be considerably higher. In addition to that, the member has implied that, with the current pay levels, we are not able to recruit a high standard of applicant to the Police Service. I am pleased to report to the House that this State currently enjoys an exceptionally high standard of applicant to the Police Service. The member hardly ever goes to police graduation ceremonies. We have them nearly every month now. Maybe he finds it difficult to attend on a Friday. If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the graduation ceremony only last Friday - Hon Ray Halligan was there - and looked at the calibre of the recruits there, he would have seen - Mr M.J. Birney interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: That is what I said; the member for Kalgoorlie was not there. The member for Kalgoorlie has a different attitude from mine. When I was the opposition spokesperson on police I rarely missed a police graduation ceremony. The member for Kalgoorlie is the opposition spokesperson on police yet rarely makes it to the police graduation ceremonies, so he does not know who is being recruited. If he did go to those ceremonies, he would see the quality of the applicants. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! The interchange between members across the Chamber is very interesting but it is not allowing the minister to complete her answer. Mr M.J. Birney interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the police graduation ceremony held last Friday, he could have seen the quality of the applicants, who were listed in the booklet that is provided to everybody who attends those ceremonies. A large number of those applicants had tertiary qualifications; they had degrees in a range of areas. The applicants had excellent backgrounds. A full age range of applicants was represented, including people who were well into their 30s and who had a diversity of experience. They were exceptionally well-qualified people. In addition, the member for Kalgoorlie failed to acknowledge in his question that specialist police officers such as forensic officers and officers with special skills are being offered considerably more than the three per cent a year as part of the enterprise bargaining agreement offer. Those factors are built in. This Government acknowledges the value of this State’s police officers. That is why this is the first Government that has given police officers occupational health and safety coverage, which is something that the former Government promised for eight years but never delivered. For the first time, police officers who work in electorates such as the electorate of the member for Kalgoorlie are being offered a country incentives package. The Government has given extra amounts of $3 000 a year to officers based in some stations and $1 500 a year to others across 75 police stations throughout Western Australia. That is an additional incentive. In addition, the police budget has increased by $110 million since Labor came to government. That is a good story. This Government acknowledges the great efforts of our police officers. Negotiations are continuing. I hope that the EBA issue can be resolved in a short period.
(1)-(3) Unfortunately, the whole premise of the member for Kalgoorlie’s question is wrong. The fact of the matter is that Western Australian police officers are not among the lowest paid in the country. In fact, with the Government’s offer, the pay levels for most categories - from constable right through to the rank of superintendent - will be among the top two, three or four in the country. The pay rates for police officers in this State are already ahead of those in States like South Australia. The offer that the Government has made will put them largely on a par with officers in a State like Queensland. The premise of the question is wrong. Unfortunately, again the member for Kalgoorlie has not done his homework. He has not looked at the figures. He has been sucked in by the campaign that has been run by the Police Union, in which a number of incorrect claims have been made. Chief among those incorrect claims is that officers in this State are poorly paid and the lowest paid in the nation. Another part of the union claim that is incorrect is that for a first-year police officer, only a low wage and another $16 a week are involved. The wage that the union has been quoting and the $16 a week relate to recruits in training; the union is talking about the first six months while they are at the academy. When the union talks about constables, it continues to refer to that figure rather than the much higher figure that a senior constable, for example, would be paid. The member for Kalgoorlie should do his homework. If he looks at the current comparisons, he will see that police officers in this State are not by a long way the lowest paid in the nation. In fact, with the three per cent that has been offered, their pay will be considerably higher. In addition to that, the member has implied that, with the current pay levels, we are not able to recruit a high standard of applicant to the Police Service. I am pleased to report to the House that this State currently enjoys an exceptionally high standard of applicant to the Police Service. The member hardly ever goes to police graduation ceremonies. We have them nearly every month now. Maybe he finds it difficult to attend on a Friday. If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the graduation ceremony only last Friday - Hon Ray Halligan was there - and looked at the calibre of the recruits there, he would have seen - Mr M.J. Birney interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: That is what I said; the member for Kalgoorlie was not there. The member for Kalgoorlie has a different attitude from mine. When I was the opposition spokesperson on police I rarely missed a police graduation ceremony. The member for Kalgoorlie is the opposition spokesperson on police yet rarely makes it to the police graduation ceremonies, so he does not know who is being recruited. If he did go to those ceremonies, he would see the quality of the applicants. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! The interchange between members across the Chamber is very interesting but it is not allowing the minister to complete her answer. Mr M.J. Birney interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the police graduation ceremony held last Friday, he could have seen the quality of the applicants, who were listed in the booklet that is provided to everybody who attends those ceremonies. A large number of those applicants had tertiary qualifications; they had degrees in a range of areas. The applicants had excellent backgrounds. A full age range of applicants was represented, including people who were well into their 30s and who had a diversity of experience. They were exceptionally well-qualified people. In addition, the member for Kalgoorlie failed to acknowledge in his question that specialist police officers such as forensic officers and officers with special skills are being offered considerably more than the three per cent a year as part of the enterprise bargaining agreement offer. Those factors are built in. This Government acknowledges the value of this State’s police officers. That is why this is the first Government that has given police officers occupational health and safety coverage, which is something that the former Government promised for eight years but never delivered. For the first time, police officers who work in electorates such as the electorate of the member for Kalgoorlie are being offered a country incentives package. The Government has given extra amounts of $3 000 a year to officers based in some stations and $1 500 a year to others across 75 police stations throughout Western Australia. That is an additional incentive. In addition, the police budget has increased by $110 million since Labor came to government. That is a good story. This Government acknowledges the great efforts of our police officers. Negotiations are continuing. I hope that the EBA issue can be resolved in a short period.
The member for Kalgoorlie should do his homework. If he looks at the current comparisons, he will see that police officers in this State are not by a long way the lowest paid in the nation. In fact, with the three per cent that has been offered, their pay will be considerably higher. In addition to that, the member has implied that, with the current pay levels, we are not able to recruit a high standard of applicant to the Police Service. I am pleased to report to the House that this State currently enjoys an exceptionally high standard of applicant to the Police Service. The member hardly ever goes to police graduation ceremonies. We have them nearly every month now. Maybe he finds it difficult to attend on a Friday. If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the graduation ceremony only last Friday - Hon Ray Halligan was there - and looked at the calibre of the recruits there, he would have seen - Mr M.J. Birney interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: That is what I said; the member for Kalgoorlie was not there. The member for Kalgoorlie has a different attitude from mine. When I was the opposition spokesperson on police I rarely missed a police graduation ceremony. The member for Kalgoorlie is the opposition spokesperson on police yet rarely makes it to the police graduation ceremonies, so he does not know who is being recruited. If he did go to those ceremonies, he would see the quality of the applicants. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! The interchange between members across the Chamber is very interesting but it is not allowing the minister to complete her answer. Mr M.J. Birney interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the police graduation ceremony held last Friday, he could have seen the quality of the applicants, who were listed in the booklet that is provided to everybody who attends those ceremonies. A large number of those applicants had tertiary qualifications; they had degrees in a range of areas. The applicants had excellent backgrounds. A full age range of applicants was represented, including people who were well into their 30s and who had a diversity of experience. They were exceptionally well-qualified people. In addition, the member for Kalgoorlie failed to acknowledge in his question that specialist police officers such as forensic officers and officers with special skills are being offered considerably more than the three per cent a year as part of the enterprise bargaining agreement offer. Those factors are built in. This Government acknowledges the value of this State’s police officers. That is why this is the first Government that has given police officers occupational health and safety coverage, which is something that the former Government promised for eight years but never delivered. For the first time, police officers who work in electorates such as the electorate of the member for Kalgoorlie are being offered a country incentives package. The Government has given extra amounts of $3 000 a year to officers based in some stations and $1 500 a year to others across 75 police stations throughout Western Australia. That is an additional incentive. In addition, the police budget has increased by $110 million since Labor came to government. That is a good story. This Government acknowledges the great efforts of our police officers. Negotiations are continuing. I hope that the EBA issue can be resolved in a short period.
Mr M.J. Birney interjected. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: That is what I said; the member for Kalgoorlie was not there. The member for Kalgoorlie has a different attitude from mine. When I was the opposition spokesperson on police I rarely missed a police graduation ceremony. The member for Kalgoorlie is the opposition spokesperson on police yet rarely makes it to the police graduation ceremonies, so he does not know who is being recruited. If he did go to those ceremonies, he would see the quality of the applicants. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! The interchange between members across the Chamber is very interesting but it is not allowing the minister to complete her answer. Mr M.J. Birney interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the police graduation ceremony held last Friday, he could have seen the quality of the applicants, who were listed in the booklet that is provided to everybody who attends those ceremonies. A large number of those applicants had tertiary qualifications; they had degrees in a range of areas. The applicants had excellent backgrounds. A full age range of applicants was represented, including people who were well into their 30s and who had a diversity of experience. They were exceptionally well-qualified people. In addition, the member for Kalgoorlie failed to acknowledge in his question that specialist police officers such as forensic officers and officers with special skills are being offered considerably more than the three per cent a year as part of the enterprise bargaining agreement offer. Those factors are built in. This Government acknowledges the value of this State’s police officers. That is why this is the first Government that has given police officers occupational health and safety coverage, which is something that the former Government promised for eight years but never delivered. For the first time, police officers who work in electorates such as the electorate of the member for Kalgoorlie are being offered a country incentives package. The Government has given extra amounts of $3 000 a year to officers based in some stations and $1 500 a year to others across 75 police stations throughout Western Australia. That is an additional incentive. In addition, the police budget has increased by $110 million since Labor came to government. That is a good story. This Government acknowledges the great efforts of our police officers. Negotiations are continuing. I hope that the EBA issue can be resolved in a short period.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: That is what I said; the member for Kalgoorlie was not there. The member for Kalgoorlie has a different attitude from mine. When I was the opposition spokesperson on police I rarely missed a police graduation ceremony. The member for Kalgoorlie is the opposition spokesperson on police yet rarely makes it to the police graduation ceremonies, so he does not know who is being recruited. If he did go to those ceremonies, he would see the quality of the applicants. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! The interchange between members across the Chamber is very interesting but it is not allowing the minister to complete her answer. Mr M.J. Birney interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the police graduation ceremony held last Friday, he could have seen the quality of the applicants, who were listed in the booklet that is provided to everybody who attends those ceremonies. A large number of those applicants had tertiary qualifications; they had degrees in a range of areas. The applicants had excellent backgrounds. A full age range of applicants was represented, including people who were well into their 30s and who had a diversity of experience. They were exceptionally well-qualified people. In addition, the member for Kalgoorlie failed to acknowledge in his question that specialist police officers such as forensic officers and officers with special skills are being offered considerably more than the three per cent a year as part of the enterprise bargaining agreement offer. Those factors are built in. This Government acknowledges the value of this State’s police officers. That is why this is the first Government that has given police officers occupational health and safety coverage, which is something that the former Government promised for eight years but never delivered. For the first time, police officers who work in electorates such as the electorate of the member for Kalgoorlie are being offered a country incentives package. The Government has given extra amounts of $3 000 a year to officers based in some stations and $1 500 a year to others across 75 police stations throughout Western Australia. That is an additional incentive. In addition, the police budget has increased by $110 million since Labor came to government. That is a good story. This Government acknowledges the great efforts of our police officers. Negotiations are continuing. I hope that the EBA issue can be resolved in a short period.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! The interchange between members across the Chamber is very interesting but it is not allowing the minister to complete her answer. Mr M.J. Birney interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the police graduation ceremony held last Friday, he could have seen the quality of the applicants, who were listed in the booklet that is provided to everybody who attends those ceremonies. A large number of those applicants had tertiary qualifications; they had degrees in a range of areas. The applicants had excellent backgrounds. A full age range of applicants was represented, including people who were well into their 30s and who had a diversity of experience. They were exceptionally well-qualified people. In addition, the member for Kalgoorlie failed to acknowledge in his question that specialist police officers such as forensic officers and officers with special skills are being offered considerably more than the three per cent a year as part of the enterprise bargaining agreement offer. Those factors are built in. This Government acknowledges the value of this State’s police officers. That is why this is the first Government that has given police officers occupational health and safety coverage, which is something that the former Government promised for eight years but never delivered. For the first time, police officers who work in electorates such as the electorate of the member for Kalgoorlie are being offered a country incentives package. The Government has given extra amounts of $3 000 a year to officers based in some stations and $1 500 a year to others across 75 police stations throughout Western Australia. That is an additional incentive. In addition, the police budget has increased by $110 million since Labor came to government. That is a good story. This Government acknowledges the great efforts of our police officers. Negotiations are continuing. I hope that the EBA issue can be resolved in a short period.
The SPEAKER: Members! The interchange between members across the Chamber is very interesting but it is not allowing the minister to complete her answer. Mr M.J. Birney interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the police graduation ceremony held last Friday, he could have seen the quality of the applicants, who were listed in the booklet that is provided to everybody who attends those ceremonies. A large number of those applicants had tertiary qualifications; they had degrees in a range of areas. The applicants had excellent backgrounds. A full age range of applicants was represented, including people who were well into their 30s and who had a diversity of experience. They were exceptionally well-qualified people. In addition, the member for Kalgoorlie failed to acknowledge in his question that specialist police officers such as forensic officers and officers with special skills are being offered considerably more than the three per cent a year as part of the enterprise bargaining agreement offer. Those factors are built in. This Government acknowledges the value of this State’s police officers. That is why this is the first Government that has given police officers occupational health and safety coverage, which is something that the former Government promised for eight years but never delivered. For the first time, police officers who work in electorates such as the electorate of the member for Kalgoorlie are being offered a country incentives package. The Government has given extra amounts of $3 000 a year to officers based in some stations and $1 500 a year to others across 75 police stations throughout Western Australia. That is an additional incentive. In addition, the police budget has increased by $110 million since Labor came to government. That is a good story. This Government acknowledges the great efforts of our police officers. Negotiations are continuing. I hope that the EBA issue can be resolved in a short period.
Mr M.J. Birney interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the police graduation ceremony held last Friday, he could have seen the quality of the applicants, who were listed in the booklet that is provided to everybody who attends those ceremonies. A large number of those applicants had tertiary qualifications; they had degrees in a range of areas. The applicants had excellent backgrounds. A full age range of applicants was represented, including people who were well into their 30s and who had a diversity of experience. They were exceptionally well-qualified people. In addition, the member for Kalgoorlie failed to acknowledge in his question that specialist police officers such as forensic officers and officers with special skills are being offered considerably more than the three per cent a year as part of the enterprise bargaining agreement offer. Those factors are built in. This Government acknowledges the value of this State’s police officers. That is why this is the first Government that has given police officers occupational health and safety coverage, which is something that the former Government promised for eight years but never delivered. For the first time, police officers who work in electorates such as the electorate of the member for Kalgoorlie are being offered a country incentives package. The Government has given extra amounts of $3 000 a year to officers based in some stations and $1 500 a year to others across 75 police stations throughout Western Australia. That is an additional incentive. In addition, the police budget has increased by $110 million since Labor came to government. That is a good story. This Government acknowledges the great efforts of our police officers. Negotiations are continuing. I hope that the EBA issue can be resolved in a short period.
The SPEAKER: I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the police graduation ceremony held last Friday, he could have seen the quality of the applicants, who were listed in the booklet that is provided to everybody who attends those ceremonies. A large number of those applicants had tertiary qualifications; they had degrees in a range of areas. The applicants had excellent backgrounds. A full age range of applicants was represented, including people who were well into their 30s and who had a diversity of experience. They were exceptionally well-qualified people. In addition, the member for Kalgoorlie failed to acknowledge in his question that specialist police officers such as forensic officers and officers with special skills are being offered considerably more than the three per cent a year as part of the enterprise bargaining agreement offer. Those factors are built in. This Government acknowledges the value of this State’s police officers. That is why this is the first Government that has given police officers occupational health and safety coverage, which is something that the former Government promised for eight years but never delivered. For the first time, police officers who work in electorates such as the electorate of the member for Kalgoorlie are being offered a country incentives package. The Government has given extra amounts of $3 000 a year to officers based in some stations and $1 500 a year to others across 75 police stations throughout Western Australia. That is an additional incentive. In addition, the police budget has increased by $110 million since Labor came to government. That is a good story. This Government acknowledges the great efforts of our police officers. Negotiations are continuing. I hope that the EBA issue can be resolved in a short period.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS: If the member for Kalgoorlie had been at the police graduation ceremony held last Friday, he could have seen the quality of the applicants, who were listed in the booklet that is provided to everybody who attends those ceremonies. A large number of those applicants had tertiary qualifications; they had degrees in a range of areas. The applicants had excellent backgrounds. A full age range of applicants was represented, including people who were well into their 30s and who had a diversity of experience. They were exceptionally well-qualified people. In addition, the member for Kalgoorlie failed to acknowledge in his question that specialist police officers such as forensic officers and officers with special skills are being offered considerably more than the three per cent a year as part of the enterprise bargaining agreement offer. Those factors are built in. This Government acknowledges the value of this State’s police officers. That is why this is the first Government that has given police officers occupational health and safety coverage, which is something that the former Government promised for eight years but never delivered. For the first time, police officers who work in electorates such as the electorate of the member for Kalgoorlie are being offered a country incentives package. The Government has given extra amounts of $3 000 a year to officers based in some stations and $1 500 a year to others across 75 police stations throughout Western Australia. That is an additional incentive. In addition, the police budget has increased by $110 million since Labor came to government. That is a good story. This Government acknowledges the great efforts of our police officers. Negotiations are continuing. I hope that the EBA issue can be resolved in a short period.
In addition, the member for Kalgoorlie failed to acknowledge in his question that specialist police officers such as forensic officers and officers with special skills are being offered considerably more than the three per cent a year as part of the enterprise bargaining agreement offer. Those factors are built in. This Government acknowledges the value of this State’s police officers. That is why this is the first Government that has given police officers occupational health and safety coverage, which is something that the former Government promised for eight years but never delivered. For the first time, police officers who work in electorates such as the electorate of the member for Kalgoorlie are being offered a country incentives package. The Government has given extra amounts of $3 000 a year to officers based in some stations and $1 500 a year to others across 75 police stations throughout Western Australia. That is an additional incentive. In addition, the police budget has increased by $110 million since Labor came to government. That is a good story. This Government acknowledges the great efforts of our police officers. Negotiations are continuing. I hope that the EBA issue can be resolved in a short period.
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