5 years ago
LABOR TO INVEST IN OUR AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE OFFICERS
BILL SHORTEN MP
A Shorten Labor Government will invest $5 million in new mental health support services for the Australian Federal Police.
The men and women of the AFP are on the frontline of the fight against terrorists and organised crime. They deal with crime scenes, child exploitation material and are often posted to remote or isolated areas in Australia or abroad.
They do an extraordinary job in challenging conditions.
Sixty six per cent of AFP employees will experience a potentially traumatic event at some stage during their career. But many struggle with these challenges alone.
In 2018, Labor chaired a Senate Inquiry into the role of Commonwealth, state and territory Governments in addressing the high rates of mental health conditions experienced by first responders, emergency service workers and volunteers. The report confirmed the pressures we know first responders, including AFP officers, can be under and the importance of access to early intervention mental health support services. All governments must seriously consider the recommendations put forward.
Labor believes we must do a better job of supporting these brave men and women. That is why, if elected, a Shorten Labor Government will invest $5 million in additional mental health support services for the AFP.
While we welcome the AFP’s recent efforts to improve its own mental health support services for its staff, we know that some AFP officers need and want outside support for mental health issues. If elected, Labor will work with the AFP, the AFP Association and experts to direct this funding to the best mental health support services available.
The AFP is under enormous pressure. According to the AFP Commissioner, referrals of drug matters have risen by nearly 300 percent in three years and victim-based crime matters have risen 200 percent. But instead of supporting our dedicated AFP officers to perform their critically important work, the Liberals have chosen to cut AFP funding and cut an extraordinary 500 staff.
We cannot expect our Australian Federal Police officers to look after us if we do not do the same for them. Labor is listening to AFP representatives, and is absolutely committed to supporting and protecting our brave Australian Federal Police officers.
The men and women of the AFP are on the frontline of the fight against terrorists and organised crime. They deal with crime scenes, child exploitation material and are often posted to remote or isolated areas in Australia or abroad.
They do an extraordinary job in challenging conditions.
Sixty six per cent of AFP employees will experience a potentially traumatic event at some stage during their career. But many struggle with these challenges alone.
In 2018, Labor chaired a Senate Inquiry into the role of Commonwealth, state and territory Governments in addressing the high rates of mental health conditions experienced by first responders, emergency service workers and volunteers. The report confirmed the pressures we know first responders, including AFP officers, can be under and the importance of access to early intervention mental health support services. All governments must seriously consider the recommendations put forward.
Labor believes we must do a better job of supporting these brave men and women. That is why, if elected, a Shorten Labor Government will invest $5 million in additional mental health support services for the AFP.
While we welcome the AFP’s recent efforts to improve its own mental health support services for its staff, we know that some AFP officers need and want outside support for mental health issues. If elected, Labor will work with the AFP, the AFP Association and experts to direct this funding to the best mental health support services available.
The AFP is under enormous pressure. According to the AFP Commissioner, referrals of drug matters have risen by nearly 300 percent in three years and victim-based crime matters have risen 200 percent. But instead of supporting our dedicated AFP officers to perform their critically important work, the Liberals have chosen to cut AFP funding and cut an extraordinary 500 staff.
We cannot expect our Australian Federal Police officers to look after us if we do not do the same for them. Labor is listening to AFP representatives, and is absolutely committed to supporting and protecting our brave Australian Federal Police officers.