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Gippsland police protest over pay dispute and under-resourcing, supported by The Nationals and Police Association

Local police protested today over the Allan Labor government's failure to resolve pay disputes and under-resourcing, with support from The Nationals and the Police Association of Victoria.

By news@gippsland - 11th December 2024 - Back to News

Local police members today walked off the job in protest at the Allan Labor government's mishandling of their protracted pay dispute and under-resourcing. Members were supported by The Nationals' Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath and The Police Association of Victoria.

Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron and Melina Bath stood in solidarity with local officers as they continue to fight the Allan Labor government for fairer working conditions and remuneration

Police deserve better

The Nationals' condemned Premier Jacinta Allan for her failure after almost two years to reach a fair deal that addresses overtime and excessive workloads. Mr Cameron said the Allan Labor government had let down the police force, leaving officers feeling undervalued at a time when their service has never been more critical.

"Hardworking police officers are being treated as second class first responders, disrespected by Labor. Each day they go to work knowing they have to perform a significant amount of unpaid work to help keep our community safe - it's a blight on the government's record that there are well over 1000 job vacancies and 700 officers out on sick leave statewide," said Mr Cameron.

Support our police

The action that occurred in Traralgon is one of the many occurring across the state in protest against the Allan Labor government. Ms Bath said police members want to be tackling crime, not locked in an arm wrestle with the Premier.

"Victoria Police deserve to be properly resourced with fairer working conditions and remuneration, instead Premier Jacinta Allan is happy to see them overworked and underpaid. Our police put their lives on the line to help keep us safe - it's outrageous the Allan Labor government will not sit down and sort out this mess.

"Martin Cameron and I, stand with our local police officers who are the real heroes of our community, they deserve gratitude and respect for their service. The Victorian Nationals are calling for an immediate resolution to the police pay dispute and a greater prioritisation of public safety in the face of worsening crime," said Ms Bath.

Pictures from Melina Bath MP Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has called for Aged Care Minister Sam Rae's resignation, citing lengthy Support at Home delays, unanswered assistance requests and thousands of deaths while awaiting support.
• Melina Bath condemned Labor over soaring vehicle thefts, with Victoria recording nearly twice New South Wales' victims
  Melina Bath has condemned Labor over soaring vehicle thefts, citing Victoria's high theft rate and major increases across eastern Victoria, while calling for more police, stronger bail laws and tougher sentencing.
• Latrobe Mayor slams government's community safety funding decision, demands urgent support despite region's higher crime and social harm rates
  Latrobe Mayor Sharon Gibson has criticised the Victorian government for again excluding Latrobe from Community Connectors funding, despite higher crime, family violence and drug-related harm rates than funded metropolitan municipalities.
• Labor government boosts Latrobe Valley businesses with funding to strengthen supply chains, expand markets and support future growth
  The Carroll Labor government is funding six Latrobe Valley businesses to upgrade equipment, software and skills, strengthen supply chains and expand markets.
• Melina Bath accuses Labor of failing to curb illicit tobacco crime and escalating violence across regional Victoria
  The Nationals have criticised Labor over ongoing illicit tobacco crime, citing alleged abductions, violence, intimidation and suspected illegal stores, while questioning Victoria’s tobacco licensing scheme effectiveness.
• Cann River Cafe creates local employment pathways through community training and youth opportunities
  Cann River has opened Fern & Feather Cafe, a community-owned training initiative providing hospitality skills, employment pathways, youth opportunities and funding for local community programs.
• Have your say on the Planning Scheme Amendment C161egip - Lakes Entrance Northern Growth Area (Revised) to unlock growth until 21 September 2026
  East Gippsland Shire Council is simplifying planning controls in Lakes Entrance Northern Growth Area, aiming to unlock housing growth, reduce red tape and support development over the next 30-plus years.
• Moondarra Reservoir gains new pathway and native garden beds, enhancing recreation, accessibility and Aboriginal cultural connections
  Gippsland Water has completed a new pathway and native garden beds at Moondarra Reservoir, improving visitor access, enhancing recreation and incorporating local flora, Aboriginal cultural information and community collaboration.