Thursday 26 May 2016

Police Association: Status quo budget for police

“The 2016/17 budget is an acknowledgment that the police operational budget cannot continue to absorb inflation costs as well as natural wage increases,” Police Association President Greg O’Connor said today.

Mr O’Connor was commenting on the $279 million that will be made available over the next four years to absorb the wage increases previously paid for out of operational funding.

“The Association is pleased that the Government has acknowledged there is no further capacity within the police to absorb such costs,” Mr O’Connor said.

“Operational Commanders will be disappointed that there will be no significant new operational funding to enable them to deliver essential policing services, but will be relieved that they will not have to continue to absorb natural increases such as wages,” he said.

The budget could be described as a status quo one, which essentially funds debts already incurred.

ends

© Scoop Media