Holidays Act may hit emergency services

The National Party says the costs of the Labour Government's new employment laws could mean fewer cops on the beat during public holidays.

Documents released by the National Party show police bosses are wrestling with the strain on their budgets caused by labour law changes.

One of the papers, an internal police memo reads: 'only staff who are required to work on public holidays should do so. Staff should not necessarily be required to stand by on public holidays as these will incur an alternate day off and potentially additional payments for the hours worked. The changes have the potential for significant impact on personnel and leave costs for the organisation if not carefully managed'.

"George Hawkins has been told the cost of the law changes to police would be between $4 and $5 million.

"It has the potential to put a big dent in the budget of our cash-strapped Police services. For instance, it's half of the extra money Labour is spending on fighting the P epidemic this year. The Government should be explaining the impact of this policy on frontline policing.

"We are aware some officers have expressed concern about the backlog in investigations if staff can't be working on cases over public holidays," says Mr Ryall.

"Here is another example of the Government not understanding the wide ranging effects of its own laws," says Mr Sowry.

"The Government is already poised for one of its famous u-turns on the sick leave provisions in this law, but it's clear there are fundamental flaws which require more than just superficial attention," Mr Sowry says.

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