Malcolm Turnbull slams Labor’s attacks on the AFP as ‘shameful’

Malcolm Turnbull has accused Labor of a ‘shameful’ attack on the integrity of the Australian Federal Police.

Opposition justice spokeswoman Clare O’Neil. Picture: Steve Tanner

Malcolm Turnbull has accused Labor of a “shameful” attack on the integrity of the Australian Federal Police after opposition justice spokeswoman Clare O’Neil suggested to a police union conference that the AFP leadership was engaged in “law enforcement by press release”.

In what the government claimed was an “outrageous” slur on the AFP top brass engaged in protecting the nation from terrorism, Ms O’Neil told a meeting of the Australian Federal Police ­Association last week that there was too much focus on “optics” and not enough on properly ­resourcing the agency.

A recording of the conference on March 21 revealed Ms O’Neil saying: “I want to argue that, you know as politely as I can say this, but the national leadership that we are getting for the AFP at the moment is much more of a focus on optics, as the focus on fighting crime by press release rather than giving you what you need (inaudible) — it’s resources, it’s people on the ground to assist you in the work that you are doing.”

Ms O’Neil said she was referring to the government when she mentioned “national leadership” and her remarks were in the context of resourcing and funding pressures on the AFP.

Her comments, which followed an attack on senior AFP management from AFPA national president Angela Smith at the same conference, were taken by some members of the audience as direct personal criticism of the AFP leadership.

The Prime Minister yesterday said he believed a new “low” had been reached, accusing Labor leader Bill Shorten of dragging the agency into its political campaign on penalty rates by capitalising on strained negotiations over a new enterprise bargaining agreement.

“Labor is all politics and no principle, but they have hit a new low as they try to play political games by questioning the independence of Australian Federal Police,” Mr Turnbull said.

“Bill Shorten will say anything and use anyone — including the brave men and women of the AFP — for a vote.

“Time and time again the Labor Party has questioned the independence of our finest officers who have played a remarkable role in intercepting 12 planned terrorist attacks since September 2014. Labor’s con­tinual questioning of the AFP’s ­integrity is shameful.”

The political brawl has sparked an internal challenge to Ms Smith’s presidency of the union, with a postal ballot believed to have been launched to unseat her following anger among some AFP members over the tactics being used by the union and Labor to politicise the agency.

Mr Shorten last night rejected the claims by Mr Turnbull that Labor was engaged in a cynical ­exploitation of the AFP to push its penalty rates agenda.

“The Australian Federal Police are facing a cut to their pay and conditions and all the Prime Minister can do is ­attack me. It’s sad and pathetic,” he said.

“I’ve got great respect for the AFP, its leadership and its officers. That’s why I want to see them paid a decent wage.

“We haven’t invented this problem — we’re calling it out and standing up for AFP officers.

“I just wish this bloke would spend as much energy on fixing this mess as he does on attacking me.”

The AFP budget has been under stress since the former Labor government imposed ­efficiency dividends on the security and intelligence agencies that saw significant cuts to AFP resources.

While the Coalition restored much of the funding when it came to office, it is yet to lift the ­efficiency dividends that still apply to the AFP and ASIO, which if ­retained will result in further cuts to resources this year.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan said: “Clare O’Neil’s attack on the very people responsible for keeping us safe is absolutely appalling. These are the people who foil terror attacks, take on organised criminals and stop illicit drugs from hitting our streets.

“Most important, these are the people who every hour, every day choose to put the lives of everyday Australians first, above their own. I have every confidence in the AFP leadership and they have this government’s unwavering support.”

Ms O’Neil told The Australian her comments were not directed at the AFP.

“If Michael Keenan hadn’t stormed out during the opening of the AFP association national council, he would have heard my glowing praise for the AFP and the incredible work they do, and my anger at the savage cuts being inflicted on them by the Turnbull government,” she said.

“If anyone is showing a lack of respect to the AFP, it is Michael Keenan. Because of his government, some brave AFP officers are facing a pay cut of $35,000.”

Mr Turnbull accused Labor of “gutting” national security during its six years in office.