Media Releases
RETIREMENT OF ACT CHIEF POLICE OFFICER NEIL GAUGHAN APM
The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) acknowledges the recent announcement from Deputy Commissioner Neil Gaughan APM, Chief Police Officer for the ACT, of his upcoming retirement.
AFPA President Alex Caruana said that DC Gaughan had had a distinguished 40-year policing career and that his legacy would be felt within ACT Policing, the AFP and the ACT community for years to come.
“Life-saving” presumptive legislation to be introduced
The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) welcomes today’s announcement from Industrial Relations Minister Tony Burke confirming the introduction of presumptive legislation for AFP appointees and other first responders.
The AFPA first began campaigning for presumptive legislation in 2018 under former President Angela Smith, with current President Alex Caruana continuing to heavily advocate for such legislation in the years since.
Mr Caruana said today was a monumental day for the AFPA and all AFP appointees.
“Minister Burke and his office have been instrumental in championing our push for presumptive legislation to support AFP appointees who sustain psychological injuries as a result of their duties protecting the community. I would also like to thank all those, particularly Senator David Pocock and Senator Jacqui Lambie, who supported this important legislative change.
Amendments to road safety legislation supported by AFPA
The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) wholeheartedly supports the recently introduced Road Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2023, tabled by ACT Minister for Transport and City Services Chris Steel MLA.
The bill will give police officers the power to impose immediate licence suspensions and prohibit drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs from continuing to drive on Canberra’s roads. The legislation also increases the severity of penalties to reflect the risk to the community, improving road safety.
AFPA President Alex Caruana said the new laws were welcome, would save lives, and resulted from close consultation and collaboration between the AFPA and the ACT Government.
“We thank Minister Steel and the ACT Government for introducing these new laws. We have had some productive discussions with the Minister and his staff about road safety, and it’s pleasing to see some of those discussions come to fruition.
Despicable assault on ACT Policing member
The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) is appalled by the Sunday evening assault of a police officer that resulted in his hospitalisation, the loss of five teeth, and other facial injuries.
The alleged offender was initially stopped by police, who believed he was in breach of bail conditions. The man ran away after being questioned and was apprehended after a short foot pursuit. During his arrest, the man seriously assaulted a police officer.
AFPA President Alex Caruana said that assaults on police and other emergency services workers were becoming too frequent, often resulting in mental and physical injuries that have a long-term impact on the victim.
“Police officers are frequently victims of assault, and to be frank, I suspect it’s an under-reported offence. My members are telling me that assaults are becoming much more frequent and often more violent than in past years.
$88 million in funding for AFP welcomed
The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) welcomes the announcement by the Albanese Government regarding an injection of funds for the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.
The AFP will receive $88 million to establish regional response teams and investigate breaches of visa conditions after the High Court of Australia’s decision to overturn indefinite immigration detention.
AFPA President Alex Caruana said this injection of funding for the AFP was critical to ensure the safety of Australia and its communities and would allow the AFP to operate without having to draw crucial funding from other operational areas of the organisation.
“I thank Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus KC, and Treasurer Jim Chalmers, for allocating substantial funding to the lead agencies.
Call for expansion to mandatory reporting criteria
– CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE ACT 2008
The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) is calling for legislative reform in relation to mandatory reporting of suspected cases of child abuse and exploitation in the ACT.
A mandated reporter is a person legally required to report observed or suspected child abuse or exploitation.
AFPA President Alex Caruana said that while the existing mandatory reporting legislation in the ACT was adequate, it should be improved and expanded to regard Members of the ACT Legislative Assembly and their staff as being mandated reporters.
“Given recent media coverage, I think there needs to be an expansion to the mandated reporter criteria. In the course of their duties, Members of the Legislative Assembly and their staff may receive information that should be reported to the appropriate authorities in order to protect children and young people in the ACT.
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