South Australia’s police union records loss deficit of more than $1.2m amid rise in amount of legal fees covered

South Australia’s Police Association has recorded a major financial loss last year with critics questioning whether the union can cover members’ legal fees.

South Australia’s Police Association has recorded a loss deficit of more than $1.2m amid a rise in the amount of legal fees covered by the union.

It came as independent MLC Frank Pangallo weighed in on a dispute between Police Commissioner Grant Stevens and Police Association of SA (PASA) president Wade Burns over Mr Burns’ criticism of SAPOL’s district policing model.

Mr Stevens last month told the PASA its actions were undermining SAPOL’s efforts to recruit and retain officers, while Mr Burns accused Mr Stevens of “gaslighting” members.

Mr Pangallo questioned whether PASA members could have confidence in the union given its financial problems. Picture NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier

Mr Pangallo said Mr Burns had given the impression of “shock and horror” about the tasking and resourcing situation at SAPOL – but pointed out he had long been aware of it.

“He knew all about it all the time because two years ago he was a member of the Premier’s Taskforce that investigated it,” he told parliament last week.

Mr Pangallo added that, in its most recent annual report, the union reported a loss deficit of $1.225m in 2024 – up from $731,916 in 2023.

“How can all PASA members have confidence they will continue to receive legal and other support from their own union?” he said.

The annual report shows the union’s 2024 legal expenses totalled more than $1.3m – up from $795,000 in 2023.

However, Mr Burns said “comments made inside parliament often pass without being verified or fact-checked, so it’s important to provide some context here”.

“The association’s financials are comprehensively and independently audited, and fully disclosed to members. They show an objectively healthy financial position for the association,” he said.

Police Association president Wade Burns said the union’s financials were audited and disclosed to members showing an objectively healthy financial position. Picture: Supplied

“The statement of accounts is heavily driven by the cyclical nature of the number of police officers requiring legal assistance from year to year.

“Unlike many other unions, the association offers the advantage of uncapped legal funding in accordance with its policies and rules.”

Mr Burns said uncapped legal funding was critical “given the unpredictable nature of policing”.

“A number of high-profile cases — in which members have been falsely accused — have shown how important this can be,” he said.

A lengthy case brought against PASA, former president Mark Carroll and secretary Bernadette Zimmermann by former deputy president Samantha Strange is ongoing.

All positions on the union’s executive will be vacated in March, when a general election will be held.

In June, Mr Pangallo used parliamentary privilege to reveal Mr Burns was demoted from chief inspector to senior sergeant in 2017 after it was claimed he indecently assaulted a then-civilian female SA Police employee at a social function. No charges were laid.

Originally published as South Australia’s police union records loss deficit of more than $1.2m amid rise in amount of legal fees covered