Australian Federal Police officers could soon disappear from major Aussie airports as part of strike action

Australian Federal Police officers could soon be withdrawn from major airports and Parliament House as part of further industrial action after a new pay deal was emphatically knocked back.

Australian Federal Police officers could soon be withdrawn from major airports and Parliament House as part of further industrial action after a new pay deal was knocked back.

More than half of the Australian Federal Police Association’s members rejected an 11.2 per cent pay rise over the next three years, with the union now exploring strike action.

The union has sought legal advice on its right to withdraw officers from airports across the country and Parliament House in Canberra as it heads back to the negotiating table to finalise a new enterprise bargaining agreement.

AFPA president Alex Caruana said the no vote from 64 per cent of members showed federal police officers did not feel respected.

“The information the AFPA has provided to our members was based on the AFP values of accountability, integrity, fairness, respect, and the truth, which as the result shows, resonated with the membership,” Mr Caruana said.

“Prior to the commencement of bargaining the AFPA made it very clear to its members that we were committed to getting them an EA that was fair for everyone, and no-one would be left behind.

“I congratulate and thank every single AFP appointee that voted.

“This result should show the AFP and Government that the goodwill and commitment of members has been abused for too long, and things need to change.

The Advertiser last week revealed the union’s concerns that the AFP’s attrition rate and recruitment challenges could threaten the historic AUKUS project.

The union warned the AFP could struggle to recruit the hundreds of protective security officers required to guard several sites around the country across the life of the project.

Mr Caruana said the AFPA would resume negotiations immediately.

The AFP previously said it had in place contingency plans to ensure community safety is not impacted during industrial action.

Originally published as Australian Federal Police officers could soon disappear from major Aussie airports as part of strike action