A motion which could allow police officers to run at the 2025 state election will be debated by the WA Police Union this week, following a path set by the Australian Nursing Federation WA.
A motion which could allow police officers to run at the 2025 state election will be debated by the WA Police Union this week, following a path set by the Australian Nursing Federation WA.
The motion put forward by the union’s Mandurah branch would, if passed, pave the way for the WAPU to discuss putting forward political candidates for the coming ballot.
The ANF is preparing to launch a political party ahead which is expected to campaign for upper house seats in 2025.
“WAPU must look at every avenue to improve members pay and conditions, which have been greatly eroded over the past six years,” the motion stated, citing the ANF’s lead.
It called for police or close affiliated family members to be able to run at the next state election.
WAPU president Paul Gale said on the first morning of the union’s state conference that the motion was one of many to be discussed, but that pay and conditions were of core concern to members.
“That’s one of 70-odd motions that are being talked about over the next two days, and every branch has the opportunity to present those motions,” he said.
“The core concerns of ours is making sure that our mental and financial wellbeing is being addressed, and that we’re recognised for the difficult job we’re doing.”
Mr Gale would not be drawn on whether the union would be able to finance a political campaign.
The state conference’s opening morning was also addressed by Police Minister Paul Papalia, who said he would support the democratic right of anyone who chose to run for parliament.
“I think it’s a good thing that people participate in politics,” Mr Papalia said.
The motion, among others, will be put to members over the coming days with results to be revealed on Wednesday.
The state conference will also discuss a decoupling of the WAPU from UnionsWA, following a motion from the Geraldton branch which questioned Mr Gale’s position that the affiliation with the state’s peak union body had benefited members in recent pay negotiations.
Mr Gale said he felt the current relationship between the WAPU and UnionsWA was fruitful, but acknowledged not all in the room would share his view.
“There’s history between the WA Police Union and UnionsWA, and some of our members hang onto that history,” he said.
The WAPU renounced its UnionsWA affiliation in 2010, but re-established ties in 2022 after the Public Sector Alliance was announced.
At the time, the WAPU cited access to more resources and respite as well as assistance in its battle for more remuneration as reasoning for re-affiliating.
A new wage policy was “begrudgingly” accepted by the union in July following more than a year of negotiations with the state government, securing minimum pay rises of $3,130 for police in 2023 along with a one-off $3,000 cost of living payment.
Mr Papalia said he was not responsible for negotiating police pay, and that he wouldn’t be trusted to carry out the task on behalf of government.
“I’d give them anything they want, which is not the best approach,” he said.
“Ultimately there’s a minister responsible for wage negotiations – they wouldn’t trust me with the power to pay the cops.”
Staff retention was cited as another key issue facing the WA police force, with attrition rates on the rise in recent years.
