Happy New Year to all members!

I hope most of you were able to enjoy at least some time off over the Christmas period; for those unable to, I hope that it won’t be too long before you are able to enjoy a well-deserved break.

I must start by acknowledging the recent deaths of the two young Queensland Police Service members. Following on from my all-member email on 13 December, the AFPA attended the memorial service on 21 December in Brisbane. The AFPA laid a wreath honouring Rachel and Matthew and joined with other attendees in commemorating the lives of these two remarkable people. Our heartfelt sympathies go to their family, colleagues and friends.

This edition of the AFPA Dispatch is somewhat shorter due to the AFPA shutdown from 24 December to 2 January; while our office was closed, we remained contactable around the clock to assist with emergencies and urgent matters, as well as triage less pressing matters. I would like to reassure members that you can call (02) 62851677 on any day of the year to receive assistance from the Association.

As mentioned in the AFPA’s December Dispatch, we are continuing to collect member ideas and suggestions related to the EA. Members are strongly encouraged to submit any ideas or proposals they have for the EA at https://www.afpa.org.au/future-enterprise-agreement/ . We are also continuing to release targeted membership surveys relating to specific sections of the existing EA. The current survey on Working Patterns can be accessed at https://www.afpa.org.au/ea-survey-4/ .

Media Releases
8 December 2022 AFPA supports judicial inquiry into R V Lehrmann AFPA Website
14 December 2022 Reduction of mental health services AFPA Website
21 December 2022 AFPA welcomes judicial inquiry into R V Lehrmann AFPA Website
9 January 2023 ACT Policing and community endangered by Summernats AFPA Website
TELEVISION AND RADIO INTERVIEWS
13 December 2022 Police officer deaths in Queensland impact on law enforcement community ahead of Christmas ABC
12 December 2022 There are ‘a lot of questions’ that need answers: Higgins and Lehrmann case Sky News
21 December 2022 Demand for ACT Police Officers Outweighs Supply 2CC
10 January 2023 Police Union Makes Big Accusations Against Summernats Organisers 2CC
MEDIA ARTICLES
8 December 2022 Shock intrusions spark airport security fears The Daily Telegraph
10 December 2022 ‘Disturbing’: Top prosecutor slams senator’s conduct during rape trial Canberra Times
12 December 2022 ACT Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee calls for board of inquiry to look at Bruce Lehrmann case Canberra Times
20 December 2022 Bruce Lehrmann welcomes ACT government inquiry, Brittany Higgins reacts with Instagram post Canberra Times
21 December 2022 Research shows ACT Policing needs greater numbers in force Canberra Times
22 December 2022 Bruce Lehrmann trial inquiry’s terms of reference critical Canberra Times
31 December 2022 Committee Inquiry to examine potential new motor vehicle law to close legal loophole The Riot Act
7 January 2023 Unknown synthetic drugs like CanKet surging onto the market ahead of relaxed drug laws arriving in 2023 Canberra Times
7 January 2023 Cops’ sex abuse and bullying investigations under fire The Daily Telegraph
10 January 2023 Police association accuses Summernats of gross negligence after crowd dispersed across Canberra, stretching resources Canberra Times
10 January 2023 ‘Gross negligence, selfish’: police union slams Summernats security, calls for independent audit The Riot Act