Queensland Police Union issues ‘missing’ posters over calls for political leaders to boost tax perks

Queensland’s Police Union has gone after Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton, with a tongue-in-cheek poster accusing them of going “missing” over a key issue it claims is part of the reason behind thousands of job vacancies.

Queensland’s Police Union has gone after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition leader Peter Dutton, releasing mug shot photos of the politicians for being “missing in action” over a campaign to give police officers tax perks to keep them in the job.

The union, with the Police Federation of Australia, says police should have the same benefits as nurses, paramedics and the military for issues including salary sacrificing and gold standard health care access.

The tongue-in-cheek Western-styled posters are the latest attempt by the union to get the issue on the federal election agenda after both Mr Albanese and Mr Dutton have been silent on the issue.

Queensland's Police Union’s mug shot photos of the two leaders in its campaign to give police officers tax perks to keep them in the job.

Queensland Police Union president Shane Prior said there were thousands of police vacancies around the nation because of the lack of incentives to stay in policing.

“This is a lighthearted Australian way of addressing a very serious issue that is essentially turning into a community safety crisis,” Mr Prior said of the mug shot photos.

“I’m calling on leaders from all sides of politics to take immediate action.

“Back our police and commit to introducing salary sacrifice options for police mortgages and deliver a ‘blue card’ that gives free top tier medical care for every officer who puts their life and body on the line to protect their community every single day.

“Our defence personnel are valued and get this and so should our police.

“Police we need to train and guide the next generation of police are leaving and in light of 7000 police vacancies down the eastern seaboard of Australia, no longer can it be claimed that policing is just a state issue,” he said.

Greens leader Adam Bandt also got the Western-style poster treatment.

Queensland Police Union president Shane Prior. Picture: Liam Kidston

Mr Prior said police unions around the country and the Police Federation of Australia had met with both Mr Albanese and Mr Dutton. However neither have announced any policy or commitment on the issue.

“Our community would be lost without our valuable men and women in blue but neither side of politics has found a decent way to reward their courage and commitment,” Mr Prior said.

“Rewards police with tax relief and they will feel valued. Give them salary sacrifice options like the Federal Government has done with the health profession.

“If we can’t keep our community safe at home, why are we sending tens of millions of dollars overseas in international aid? We can fund this very easily with modest cuts to the international aid budget.”

Originally published as Queensland Police Union issues ‘missing’ posters over calls for political leaders to boost tax perks