Members may be aware of the Federal Governments proposed changes to Federal Workplace Relations Laws (Work Choices Bill 2005). This bill, in its current form, would apply to Police Association members who were referred into the federal industrial relations system with other Victorian workers in 1996.

Members are also governed by the Police Regulation Act (Victorian legislation), which establishes certain rights and entitlements in the workplace.

These two jurisdictions create a hybrid approach to industrial relations issues that fails to adequately meet the needs of police in Victoria.

In 1999, the Victorian State Government committed to establishing a Police Career Service Commission (PCSC) that would simplify industrial regulation, creating a specific state based jurisdiction for police.

The Police Association met with Federal ministers yesterday to submit a proposal that would allow the state government to establish the PCSC outside the Work Choices Bill. 

If established, the PCSC would have carriage of industrial arbitration for police.

The establishment of the PCSC is an issue that we will continue to pursue and we will update members about the success of our proposal in coming newsletters.

PAUL MULLETT
Secretary