Queensland police lay down law in pay row
Robyn Ironside and Steven Wardill July 13, 2010 12:01AM 50 comments
CourierMail
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QUEENSLAND police will consider a raft of measures including another march on State Parliament if a July 30 meeting with the Premier fails to deliver a decent pay rise.
A comparative table of police salaries has revealed Queensland officers are among the lowest paid in the country, with constables starting on just $46,348 a year.
That compares with $56,556 in Western Australia, $52,935 in the Northern Territory and $50,158 in South Australia.
More experienced officers do not fare much better with Queensland inspectors earning $114,464 compared with $132,190 in New South Wales.
Police union president Ian Leavers was yesterday staying hopeful the July 30 meeting would produce the right result for members, who have been angered by an "insulting" offer of just 2.5 per cent.
"We're only in phase one of our campaign at the moment," Mr Leavers said, referring to a television and radio ad campaign launched Sunday night.
Phil of Mitchelton of Mitchelton Posted at 11:43 PM July 12, 2010
You couldnt blame them if they went slow or worked to rule on revenue raising sections of the "force". Like nurses,- police cant and wont walk away from the citizens of queensland. In fact the Union said on radio that it would never let the people down. I would love to see the Police Minister walk in a plodders shoes for a week. Bad for Ms Bligh
Comment 1 of 50
Anna of West End Posted at 12:47 AM July 13, 2010
Next it will be free Macc'as as opposed to the 1/2 price MaccĂ¡s they get now which no doubt has already been factored in so what is there to complane about ?.
Comment 2 of 50
Scotty of QLD Posted at 6:42 AM July 13, 2010
CMHow about publishing the full pay, not just the base wage. You need to include all the allowances and loadings they get. A 'base' wage of $46k soon turns into about $60k with allowances.
Comment 3 of 50
Honest guy of Brisy of Brisbane Posted at 6:51 AM July 13, 2010
If they can waste nearly a billion dollars on Traveston, then they can give these guys a pay rise.
Comment 4 of 50
oldefellah of bligh's basket state Posted at 6:55 AM July 13, 2010
Here we go again, ignoring the root cause of every pay dispute in the country. Think about it people. No State and Territory governments = no pay disputes. Why? Because everyone gets paid the same. And the self-seeking State based unions would go as well. Are we the dumbest country on the planet? Certainly in contention while this rubbish continues.
Comment 5 of 50
DJ of Brisbane Posted at 7:03 AM July 13, 2010
Police used to be respected, but now they are reviled in Queensland. Blame grubby lawyers, who generally skip into politics when they fail in law, for that shift. Now, Police are the enemy, no-one believes them, no-one trusts them, and no-one wants them. But everyone needs them. Sucks to be a Queenslander!
Comment 6 of 50
Robert of Redcliffe of Redcliffe Posted at 7:04 AM July 13, 2010
Hey Anna, how long do you twerps have to haggle to get a pay rise? One minute, two minutes or maybe no time at all.
Comment 7 of 50
GG of Brisvegas Posted at 7:07 AM July 13, 2010
Doesn't seem right, $46348 per year to be assaulted, spat at, shot at as part of your job, and yet the Pollies and Senior Bureaucrats earn well over $100K and contribute far far less to society. I wonder how Anna Blight would go living on $46348 a year. One way to raise more money so not to hurt the taxpayer would be to cut the perks in the Government, including the ones after you leave Government, and give it to the Public Service that makes a difference.....
Comment 8 of 50
Micke of NSW Posted at 7:29 AM July 13, 2010
I would rather they pay them like miners 100 thousand plus a year, but, they have to get rid of the members that can not do the job, bring back the 6'1 height rule, some of these coppers get out of a car with a hat on looking like a roofing nail! Give us a force to respect, not a force that tries to earn respect through laws and legislation
Comment 9 of 50
Jeremy Bentham of Brisbane Posted at 7:41 AM July 13, 2010
2.5% is a silly ambit claim game. Just pay them what all the other public service bodies like nurses have been given which was 4+%. which is what would be awarded after arbitration and the government know it . Mind you this will be another good diversion and they can pretend that they are tough on pay claims. It is not nice to use police or any essential workers as chess pieces.
Comment 10 of 50
Craig of Brisbane Posted at 7:53 AM July 13, 2010
Stop collecting revenue and you will be able to demand your price.
Comment 11 of 50
Ben of QLD - The Expensive State Posted at 7:56 AM July 13, 2010
Make the pollies take a paycut to fund the QPS pay rise. Given their performance of late, they should be on performance based pay, in which case they should be paying us! Qld'ers, please do the rightthing come election day and get rid of Bliar and her cronies.
Comment 12 of 50
Lee of Brisbane Posted at 8:09 AM July 13, 2010
"We need to work through the complexities and we need to get something that is affordable to taxpayers." Was that the approach government took when dealing themselves a payrise? Good Luck QPS. Your'e stuffed!
Comment 13 of 50
Dave of Brissie Posted at 8:24 AM July 13, 2010
State Govt workers, when asking for a pay rise to bring them in line with other states, were in the past always told that "it's cheaper to live in QLD, so there's no need". Blight has taken care of that, and it now costs the same or more for most things here as it does elsewhere. All workers should be asking for 15% to 20 % to keep up with the rise in the cost of living here over the last few years. If I was in the police force, I would refuse to man the Speed cameras and vans till the State Govt changes their minds. Let them feel how it is to have no money.
Comment 14 of 50
JJ of Aus Posted at 8:27 AM July 13, 2010
Before the police bashers and keyboard warriors make their comments. Remember that QPS members come into contact with 5 million people a year and arrest over 100000 not to mention the millions of verbal cautions given to those who make minor mistakes. Last year 2700 of our men and woman in blue was seriously assaulted while trying to make a living and 99.9% of those scum offenders walked out of Blights unaccountable courts laughing their heads off with no or little punishment. I believe that there were 2700 complaints against police last year and 95% were found to be unsubstantiated, vexatious and false. These men and woman are scrutinised everyday by the public, anti police media in this State and the unaccountable courts. Would you put up with that crap in your job? But they keep doing it everyday without complaint. Not bad going in my book. Keep up the good work QPS as the law abiding decent citizens supports your pay rise.
Comment 15 of 50
Former Five 0 of smart state....lol Posted at 8:28 AM July 13, 2010
Dear former colleagues. If you dont like it.......... and I guess most dont....... leave. Since leaving the QPS and going into business 2 years ago..... using all of that MDP knowledge....... Im now worth about $2m and growing. The government ... no matter who is in power... will always treat you as cannon fodder.
Comment 16 of 50
Nurses husband of Sunshine Coast Posted at 8:33 AM July 13, 2010
Come on cops call their bluff. Stop collecting fines, and if there is no outcome, organise a sick day whereby no officer fronts for duty. I guarntee you'll get your richly deserved pay rise.
Comment 17 of 50
Jane Posted at 8:40 AM July 13, 2010
So Qld ambulance gets 20%, yet my partner who i understand the ambulance officers call when it gets too dangerous for them only gets 2.5%
Comment 18 of 50
Kerrin of Brisbane City Posted at 8:53 AM July 13, 2010
It's the exact opposite to what she provides us. She gets a premium service with Integrity, Passion, Committment and extremely high levels of personal responsibility, but pays peanuts for it. We get the peanut service from her and pay a premium for it.
Comment 19 of 50
PaxUs of Brisbane Posted at 9:10 AM July 13, 2010
Now is the time people. We can join with police in protesting against this runaway government, not for better wages, but for affordable electricity, water and other services and the sale of our PUBLIC assets. If we all mutiny and march on Captain Bligh, we can turf her out to sea in a dingy like her ancestor, if she doesn't conform to the will of the average struggling Queenslander. Anyone good at organising protests?
Comment 20 of 50
Jack Towy of Brisbane Posted at 10:42 AM July 13, 2010
All we ask for is a fair go. Just goes to show what the Government think of their Police Service. Kicked,punched,spat on, broken shoulder all in whilst doing 'my job'. Gee thanks Anna. I will be showing you the same level I respect you have shown us at the next election. Time to wake up to yourselves.
Comment 21 of 50
Committed surf lover of QLD Posted at 11:03 AM July 13, 2010
Give them more money. Better for them and better for us.
Comment 22 of 50
Betty of Brisbane Posted at 11:12 AM July 13, 2010
Good! The police do a wonderful job and should be getting paid for their services
Comment 23 of 50
J Lyons of Caboolture Posted at 11:42 AM July 13, 2010
Let the politicians go out and fo the job that policemen and women do for the same salary, they should be amongst the highest paid in Australia as should nurses and medical staff they should at least have the same benefits as politicians.......as if....
Comment 24 of 50
yep of yep Posted at 11:57 AM July 13, 2010
They should get at least 4%, however they get good conditions on top of their wages already like shift allowance and six weeks holidays. Also big super contributions that taxpayers provide. Maybe the speed camera operators can take a pay cut as they make a 6 figure salary. Further how many pen pusher are on a 6 figure salary that dont need to be there.
Comment 25 of 50
Alice of Kedron Posted at 12:02 PM July 13, 2010
Queensland cops are the worst in the country so why shouldn't they be paid less than the rest?
Comment 26 of 50
Sarah Fazel of Brisbane Posted at 12:29 PM July 13, 2010
I think we take for granted what are the most important aspects of our society. Safety is a basic need of all humans. Police provide us with safety- think what a lawless, ungoverned community we would live in without these men & women? I don't know many other jobs where you would have to deal with drug addicts, being spat on, abused physically or verbally as part and parcel of your job let alone the risk of being killed. Give them what they deserve. Thank you to the QLD Police.
Comment 27 of 50
jeff of brisbane Posted at 12:33 PM July 13, 2010
Whya re the cops comparing themseleves to others in order for a pay rise. Are all the conditions in the awards equal across the states or do the QLd coppers get more? Another smoke and mirrors exercise and pure lies by the police union in order to get more money for their members which are no more than thugs with guns and corrupt police. if you want drugs see a local police man, protection , see a qld copper, How many qld cops are udner review or suspensions due to illegal activites ? please tell us police union. of coursw ethey are all not guilty to them.
Comment 28 of 50
wade wayot Posted at 12:35 PM July 13, 2010
Stop whinging and get on your job.
Comment 29 of 50
John of Brisbane of Brisbane Posted at 12:36 PM July 13, 2010
If these pay figures are accurate the Bligh govt should be ashamed (yet again). Come on Labor, pay the police what they are worth. Don't procratinate...do it now.
Comment 30 of 50
Shoo Bligh Don't Bother Me! of Brisbane Posted at 12:40 PM July 13, 2010
Since when has Bligh ever been concerned about what is "affordable to taxpayers."
Comment 31 of 50
here we go again of Brisbane Posted at 12:41 PM July 13, 2010
Not a good move Anna attacking your main renevue raisers. She may have to redo the budget!!
Comment 32 of 50
loved brisbane of wellers hill Posted at 12:58 PM July 13, 2010
At least their being paid.
Comment 33 of 50
Roslyn Elliott of Redlands Posted at 1:36 PM July 13, 2010
The police are not well paid for the job that they do. Who would want to go to work and be spat on, punched, kicked, see the road accidents, and the violence in the homes. The conditions are poor as well, they get no medical cover which should be a matter of course with the job they do. They should be on an equal par with the defence force!!! The union needs to move big time on this issue!
Comment 34 of 50
K McCance of Brisbane Posted at 1:50 PM July 13, 2010
Alice, interested to hear why you think qld cops are the worst in the country??? Have you been split at, punched, had your family threated, your life threated and all this on a daily basis, I'm guessing in your job (if you have one)nothing like this happens!! Your comment is immature and ill-informed.
Comment 35 of 50
Stevo of Brisbane Posted at 3:50 PM July 13, 2010
They are'nt really a professional force anymore, just a bunch of uneducated thugs, they don't deserve a raise, they should be thankful they have a job, and not in jail like all the other undesirables
Comment 36 of 50
A nurse of Brisvegas Posted at 4:54 PM July 13, 2010
I believe they should get a better deal. No way would I put up with what they face on a daily basis in their work life. As for the comment about maccas- many moons ago i worked in a fast food outlet and we would also offer the police a discount- mainly because it meant safety for us because they would drop in and make sure we were ok in the wee hours of the morning. How much of a payrise did all the politicians get? They are not out risking their lives and often dealing with the very worst of humanity. We rely on the police to uphold the law and protect us- give them a better pay rise! The police have our support through and through.
Comment 37 of 50
Bill Gad Posted at 5:09 PM July 13, 2010
To all those underpaid and underappreciated Qld police officers ; there are opportunities to move to the AFP, to work in the AUP. You get paid more, there is no culture of management bullying, you work a ten hour shift pattern which offers a work life balance, no more working ten shifts in a row, finishing at 4.00am, then returning to work at 2.00pm that same day, no more working seven nights in a row, the most shifts we work in a row is four, averaging three days off a week. You have the time to do your job properly, and do not have to go into work on rest days for free, to finish work that you did not get the time to do on shift. You get meal breaks, you don't get continually smashed, and at some stations you get to physical training for an hour on shift. There are opportunities to make the secondment permanent, after which there are loads of opportunities not available in the Qld Police, like overseas service as a federal agent. In short if the Qld Police management do not appreciate you, and the Qld government and public do not appreciate you, make the move to somewhere where your skills and experience will be valued and appreciated.
Comment 38 of 50
qpue is a dud of Qld Posted at 5:19 PM July 13, 2010
Oooh......... A march on parliament. I hope the have a permit. QPUE president Ian Leavers must have the government shaking in their boots. Hear me roar........ Meow...
Comment 39 of 50
Very GC of GC Posted at 5:21 PM July 13, 2010
Left Right Left Right Left and keep on marching out of this state and DONT COME BACK . What about the Royal Commission ?
Comment 40 of 50
Glenn TERRY of BRISBANE Posted at 5:28 PM July 13, 2010
As one who has been shot at numerous times,threatened with knives,been seriously assaulted and witnessed more inhumanity than one could ever imagine,I don't complain as it is the job of policing and the sooner some police realise that, the better they may adjust to their chosen profession. I do however hope and expect that my service and dedication is rewarded with a realistic pay rise from the government. What I would also like to see, would be an eradication of the current cronyism based and corrupt system of promotion that sees so many good honest police fall by the wayside and lose faith. A return to the 15 years service Sergeant of Police would be a good start. Mr Leavers, it's not just about wage rises, there are many long term issues you can undertake apart the the same old EB whinge, suggested march and petulent holding of our breath until we get our own way. To compare other public servants to the police and suggest a paper cut is the only risk they face is both disrespectful, and does little but alienate the police from other professionals in other chosen practices. Do your job, but not by downplaying the importance of other public servants.
Comment 41 of 50
mcdau of Atherton Posted at 5:31 PM July 13, 2010
Interesting comment from Stevo, whose obvious lack of education and knowledge shines through in his ignorant drivel. Police all over the country are now required to undergo tertiary education, and ongoing university recognised courses, to the point where most are now able to easily swing into other occupations at a management level. Stevo has evidently not bothered to find out any facts before he launched into his predictably useless diatribe. It also pays to spell check before making comments about other's lack of education.
Comment 42 of 50
james of qld Posted at 5:54 PM July 13, 2010
The payrise will never come. People of queensland are always wanting more more more and the best of everything... what they obviously dont realise is that the qld govt has no money.
Comment 43 of 50
MD Posted at 6:03 PM July 13, 2010
Anna & her lot seem hell-bent on turning everyone against them. But come election time all the big unions will still tell us that this lot offers the best choice - happens every time, just to different degrees. About time the workers woke up to this and broke the unhealthy alliance between ALP & unions which ultimately only exists to serve the hierarchy of both.
Comment 44 of 50
Lady_Dag of Brisbane Posted at 6:03 PM July 13, 2010
Scotty of Qld - in an earlier article the CM did advise that the base salary didn't include the shift allowance, etc but not all cops work the shifts that attract these allowances maybe due to family, injury, etc I personally believe they deserve a minimum of 6% to at least compensate them against the idiots & ignorant ppl that they deal with on an hourly basis!
Comment 45 of 50
Ant of Brisbane Posted at 6:34 PM July 13, 2010
Just give themte same as other Public Servnts got in their EB last year (4% per annum)That was a fair deal the government and the workers. 2.5% would not be fair and anything more than 4% would excessive.
Comment 46 of 50
CJ Posted at 6:36 PM July 13, 2010
In Western Australia and the U.K. the police stopped writting tickets and parked police cars with the blue and reds flashing in front of all the speed cameras. Only took a few weeks for the government to cave in.
Comment 47 of 50
Give them more Posted at 6:38 PM July 13, 2010
I hope they dont complain too much, they might end up with the same payroll as Qld Health whos staff today received a 16 page glossy book on Your end of financial year questions answered.
Comment 48 of 50
glenn of City Posted at 8:28 PM July 13, 2010
How many more donuts will 4% rise give them? Glad I've got a $95k desk job! Sounds like they should start walking and get a better job. They might even loose some weight.
Comment 49 of 50
GH Posted at 9:38 PM July 13, 2010
Not only are the police underpaid but they do not get paid for all the overtime they have to work. The govt treats them like second class citizens.
Comment 50 of 50
