Unprecedented interference in your Association

As part of an alleged investigation by police command of allegations of “bullying” by members of the Police Association Executive, Phil Pearson and Dean Thomas, who are elected members of the Executive, have now been issued with directions under s86Q of the Police Regulation Act 1958 to attend for questioning about what happened at an Association delegates conference and an Association Executive meeting in May and June 2006 – over 2 years ago!

This is an unprecedented and reprehensible interference by the Chief Commissioner, the employer, in the internal affairs of the independent union representing Victorian police officers.

It is a blatant misuse of an Act of Parliament to weaken your union.  No other employer would dare to interfere in this way in the affairs of a union representing its members.  We are determined not to allow it to occur in our union.

At the same time as they are attacking your union, in the Federal Court the Chief Commissioner and the Brumby government are also attacking your right to freedom of association under the Workplace Relations Act, which protects you against discrimination and victimization. According to the Chief Commissioner and the State Labor government, the freedom of association protections which are enjoyed by every other worker in Victoria under the Workplace Relations Act, are not to be made available to Victorian police officers.

One can only wonder how far the Chief Commissioner and government are prepared to go, and how many basic rights they are prepared to trample, to get their way.

Your Association will fight against this latest outrageous attack on your democratically elected officials every inch of the way.

Bruce McKenzie

Assistant Secretary