VIC Treasurer urges police support during industrial action

Victoria's treasurer, Tim Pallas, has expressed concern over police actions during ongoing industrial disputes, particularly as the AFL Grand Final approaches. He criticized the police union for escalating their actions against the community due to their failure to ratify a previous pay agreement. Pallas emphasized the need for police to consider the impact of their actions on the public, urging them to reflect on their responsibilities. The police union, representing 15,000 officers, is demanding a 24 percent pay increase over four years and the introduction of 8.5-hour shifts. In response to stalled negotiations, officers have begun refusing to issue on-the-spot traffic fines and will not work at major events on their days off starting September 25. This decision comes just days before the AFL Grand Final, raising concerns about public safety and event security. Wayne Gatt, secretary of the Police Association of Victoria, noted that while police would still be present at events, the government would need to cover the full costs of their services. This could also affect upcoming events like the Spring Racing Carnival if the dispute continues. The state government is seeking intervention from the Fair Work Commission to resolve the ongoing negotiations. Earlier agreements had been reached, including a shift to a nine-day fortnight and a 16 percent pay rise, but these were rejected by union members, leading to the current escalation in industrial action.