Police and pollies to get pay rises

Police and federal politicians are in line for pay rises, writes BRENDA SEYMOUR.

NSW Police Association delegates have voted to endorse a 17 to 24 per cent (compounded and restructured) pay offer over four years for police. The offer goes to a ballot of police officers this month. The Government offer includes 14 weeks' paid maternity leave and one week's paid paternity leave as well as better access to long service leave after seven years service and the ability to take extended leave (long service leave) at double pay. A key part of the negotiations also included resolving the issue of death and disability insurance which would provide equity to officers who joined the force after 1998 -- about 70 per cent of police. Those officers are currently not entitled to any special cover over and above the standard workers compensation, while those who joined the police force prior to 1998 are already entitled to generous death and disability cover.

Key points

All members offered a minimum of 17.1 per cent increase payable within 3.5 years of the four years from 2005 to 2009:

• four per cent increase from July 1, 2005
• four per cent increase in 2006/7 (two per cent July 1, 2006 and two per cent January 1, 2007)
• four per cent increase in 2007/8 (two per cent July 1, 2007 and two per cent January 1, 2008)
• four per cent in 2008/9 (two per cent July 1, 2008 and two per cent January 1, 2009)
• no trade-offs
• shift allowances increase in line with salary increases
• increases in special duties allowances of 17.1 per cent
• there was agreement for the Police Association to make application to the IRC seeking a review of the formula for the calculation of shift allowances.
• 214 leading senior constable positions for reallocation to general duties and other duty types for example highway patrol, transits and so on

Promotions positions

Promotions positions (sergeants, senior sergeants, detectives, detective sergeants, detective senior sergeants and commissioned officers) will be restructured with conversion based on time on rank at July 1, 2006. For example, the increase for sergeants (inclusive of across the board increases) is up to 24 per cent.

The Government's preparedness to restructure the police promotions positions is important for teacher promotions positions.

Federal politicians

Federal politicians will get an annual pay rise of between $4,000 and $11,000 on July 1, 2005. The pay rise is due to a 4.1 per cent increase implemented in a Determination by the Remuneration Tribunal. Backbenchers on the base salary of $106,770 will see their salary jump to $111,150 at the start of the new financial year. Prime Minister John Howard, the highest paid MP, will see his pay rise to $288,990, an increase of $11,388. The politicians' pay rise of at least $85 a week will take effect on the same day they benefit from tax cuts of around $65 a week. Average Australian workers will get a tax cut of $6 a week.

The Australian Industrial Relations Commission has just brought down a $17 a week increase for Australia's lowest paid workers. The increase is more like the employer groups submission than the ACTU's submission. It is a sign of times to come.

Brenda Seymour is the Assistant General Secretary (Research and Industrial).

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Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005