Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
You've probably heard some of that discussion, but if you haven't,
what we now know is that the transit safety officers
they're going to be scrapped with people in those roles
transitioning to the new stream of police dedicated to tackling
anti social behavior. So the new public safety well, the
police public safety officers, they're going to focus on buses,
public housing, shopping centers, bottle shops, events and other public areas.
(00:26):
Now joining me on the line right now is the
anti Regional Secretary of the CPSU.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
I'll just take you across to that right now.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
It is, indeed, David Vilagas. Good morning to you, David.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Good morning Katie.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Lovely to have you on the show now. David. Obviously,
the discussion about the.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
New ppsos has been an interesting one. People certainly hoping
that they're going to have a positive impact, But what's
the union's take.
Speaker 3 (00:58):
Well, Katie, I think part of the problem here is that,
you know, we've had to scramble because this is another
example of policy by press release. Our members only found
out at the same time as everybody else. There was
no consultation beforehand, no indication that this is coming anytime soon,
(01:20):
and we've only been contacted by the government to start
consultation over the next couple of weeks. In fact, I
only found out in the middle of bargaining. I was
bargaining for the general NTPs agreement for fourteen dozen workers
when somebody received the ping on their phone saying that
there was a media release about this. So we've had
to reach out to our members to find out what
(01:44):
information they've received as well.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
Wow, so your members didn't even know and presumably you
guys represent like the housing officers and others.
Speaker 3 (01:55):
That's right. So we represent the public housing safety, the faisos,
public housing safety officers, and the trans and safety officers.
So you know, we've been dealing with them extensively over
the years around their work, health safety concerns, around staffing concerns.
We've been pushing with both labor and now the Salt
government the need to increase their numbers. Transit safety. We
(02:16):
have a situation at the moment, which has been ongoing
for many years now, where they supplement security at bus
stops with Wilson's private Wilson Security, but their first point
of contact would call when there's an issue around public
order is our members and We've been saying for years,
like you're spending as much money on Wilson Security for
(02:38):
somebody to just call our members to do the job,
why not spend that money on the transit safety. So
I guess the point I'm trying to make is this
is being touted as trying to address the broader public
order issues that we're experiencing. We're all experiencing. But you know,
we still have the same staffing is ses and they're
(03:00):
just shifting. They're basically going to be doing the same job,
just round a different hat, right, And that's part of
the problem as well.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
So in terms of what your members are saying as well,
I mean, are they are they concerned or are they
how are they feeling about these proposed changes, or have
they not really had any time to even process it.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
There's definitely an element of that. There's definitely an element
of that. There's also been quite a number that have
I mean, these are small groups, by the way, Katie,
So transit safety, there's twenty four FTE for the entirety
of the Darwin Palmerson area, and they're not all on
the ground at any given time. They swap shifts, right,
(03:40):
and public housing safety. There's only about thirty five in
total for the entirety of an Orthern territory, So you know,
we're talking really small numbers here, but I've already had
you know, up to half of officers saying we don't
want this. We're really concerned about this, right, like, we
don't want to be police officers. They've already given them
(04:01):
a lot of extra powers with no further yeah leave
barking too one side for a second, but with no
extra compensation anything at all. Now we're going to be
moving into this other space. We don't know what the
entitlements will be, but we also don't know what the
training will be and the extra responsibility of potentially carrying
guns when we already know you know how significant you
(04:23):
know the pressure is around that. Yeah, the public too,
So yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:29):
In terms of that, you know, the discussion about them
being you know, carrying guns, being armed, like, are they
quite worried or apprehensive about that?
Speaker 3 (04:40):
Well, again, like it there is still an element of shock,
but there is absolutely there is absolutely apprehension about that
amongst the cohort. Absolutely, So talk.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
Me through as well.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
The obviously the government had seen when they made this
announcement in that pressure le yes today that there is
is going to be or there will be a grandfathering.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
Of those roles.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
If those people don't want to move into the new
pps O role, do you anticipate that you may have
some of the transit offices and also the public housing
ones decide to do that.
Speaker 3 (05:18):
Yes, based on the current feedback I'm receiving yes, which,
again when we're looking at how small the numbers are,
kind of defeats the purpose right of what they're trying
to achieve. So if, for example, early indications prove correct
for the whole whole cohort, if half of them are saying, no,
I don't want to do this, I want to be
a grandfather, then you know that leaves what twenty fifteen
(05:41):
people in total that will then move in and start
wearing police U informs and doing exactly the same work.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
So we're too from here.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
From the cpshu's perspective in terms of moving forward, you know,
it sounds like there's still quite a way to go
in terms of these discussions.
Speaker 3 (05:58):
Even yes, absolutely, like this is extremely early stages. But
you know, it was obviously important that the public be
aware of this. But we're still trying to arrange a
meeting with the Commission for Public Employment and the Chief
Executive officers, hopefully within the next fortnight, so we'll have
more information at that point. And then we need to
(06:21):
help those members who want to be grandfathers to maintain
those roles as well. So we're looking at at a
fairly long process. I mean from some of the members,
they've indicated this would take up to a year. Like
with all the processes that will be involved in this,
this could take a very long time. So that's helpful
in terms of trying to ensure that everything works out
(06:45):
well for our members, but in terms of addressing the
serious public order now it will take some time. But
again the jury is still out because we're still just
talking about shifting the same more cohort that we've been
asking for more staff into another space to do exactly
the same thing.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
So from your perspective, David, I mean, is there any
positives to what they have announced?
Speaker 3 (07:13):
More based on the information that I have at the moment,
I can't see it. We still need to have that information,
We still need to have those meetings with the SEE
to find out exactly what will change. But again, it
just like we already have precedent around this under the
previous government, where they were being given extra powers and
(07:34):
extra responsibilities over a period of about two years. It
came with the caps of can spray, then it came
with the arrest powers of public housing and so on
and so forth. But they were trying to introduce, i
should say, so you know, but again, like they the
the extra powers obviously always comes with you know, as
chart as this sounds, with extra responsibilities, and you know,
(07:56):
there's a lot of scrutiny about using those so there's
a lot of reluctance to even engage in those powers,
engage using those powers because of the heightened level of
scrutiny anyway, So like that, that's that's you know, there's
there's a lot of moving pieces here, and it's moving
very very quickly in terms of you know, just being
(08:20):
just being made away aware of this yesterday morning. So
hopefully within the next two weeks we'll have more information
to start looking at the how to at the very
least ensure that our members are you know, are looked
after in the process.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
Yeah, well, look, we may indeed catch up with you
again in the next couple of weeks David, but really
interesting some further food for thought there. So I appreciate
you taking the time to have a chat.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
With us this morning. No dramastakes, thank you, Thanks so much,
You've probably heard some of that discussion, but if you haven't,
what we now know is that the transit safety officers
they're going to be scrapped with people in those roles
transitioning to the new stream of police dedicated to tackling
anti social behavior. So the new public safety well, the
police public safety officers, they're going to focus on buses,
public housing, shopping centers, bottle shops, events and other public areas.
(00:26):
Now joining me on the line right now is the
anti Regional Secretary of the CPSU.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
I'll just take you across to that right now.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
It is, indeed, David Vilagas. Good morning to you, David.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Good morning Katie.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Lovely to have you on the show now. David. Obviously,
the discussion about the.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
New ppsos has been an interesting one. People certainly hoping
that they're going to have a positive impact, But what's
the union's take.
Speaker 3 (00:58):
Well, Katie, I think part of the problem here is that,
you know, we've had to scramble because this is another
example of policy by press release. Our members only found
out at the same time as everybody else. There was
no consultation beforehand, no indication that this is coming anytime soon,
(01:20):
and we've only been contacted by the government to start
consultation over the next couple of weeks. In fact, I
only found out in the middle of bargaining. I was
bargaining for the general NTPs agreement for fourteen dozen workers
when somebody received the ping on their phone saying that
there was a media release about this. So we've had
to reach out to our members to find out what
(01:44):
information they've received as well.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
Wow, so your members didn't even know and presumably you
guys represent like the housing officers and others.
Speaker 3 (01:55):
That's right. So we represent the public housing safety, the faisos,
public housing safety officers, and the trans and safety officers.
So you know, we've been dealing with them extensively over
the years around their work, health safety concerns, around staffing concerns.
We've been pushing with both labor and now the Salt
government the need to increase their numbers. Transit safety. We
(02:16):
have a situation at the moment, which has been ongoing
for many years now, where they supplement security at bus
stops with Wilson's private Wilson Security, but their first point
of contact would call when there's an issue around public
order is our members and We've been saying for years,
like you're spending as much money on Wilson Security for
(02:38):
somebody to just call our members to do the job,
why not spend that money on the transit safety. So
I guess the point I'm trying to make is this
is being touted as trying to address the broader public
order issues that we're experiencing. We're all experiencing. But you know,
we still have the same staffing is ses and they're
(03:00):
just shifting. They're basically going to be doing the same job,
just round a different hat, right, And that's part of
the problem as well.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
So in terms of what your members are saying as well,
I mean, are they are they concerned or are they
how are they feeling about these proposed changes, or have
they not really had any time to even process it.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
There's definitely an element of that. There's definitely an element
of that. There's also been quite a number that have
I mean, these are small groups, by the way, Katie,
So transit safety, there's twenty four FTE for the entirety
of the Darwin Palmerson area, and they're not all on
the ground at any given time. They swap shifts, right,
(03:40):
and public housing safety. There's only about thirty five in
total for the entirety of an Orthern territory, So you know,
we're talking really small numbers here, but I've already had
you know, up to half of officers saying we don't
want this. We're really concerned about this, right, like, we
don't want to be police officers. They've already given them
(04:01):
a lot of extra powers with no further yeah leave
barking too one side for a second, but with no
extra compensation anything at all. Now we're going to be
moving into this other space. We don't know what the
entitlements will be, but we also don't know what the
training will be and the extra responsibility of potentially carrying
guns when we already know you know how significant you
(04:23):
know the pressure is around that. Yeah, the public too,
So yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:29):
In terms of that, you know, the discussion about them
being you know, carrying guns, being armed, like, are they
quite worried or apprehensive about that?
Speaker 3 (04:40):
Well, again, like it there is still an element of shock,
but there is absolutely there is absolutely apprehension about that
amongst the cohort. Absolutely, So talk.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
Me through as well.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
The obviously the government had seen when they made this
announcement in that pressure le yes today that there is
is going to be or there will be a grandfathering.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
Of those roles.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
If those people don't want to move into the new
pps O role, do you anticipate that you may have
some of the transit offices and also the public housing
ones decide to do that.
Speaker 3 (05:18):
Yes, based on the current feedback I'm receiving yes, which,
again when we're looking at how small the numbers are,
kind of defeats the purpose right of what they're trying
to achieve. So if, for example, early indications prove correct
for the whole whole cohort, if half of them are saying, no,
I don't want to do this, I want to be
a grandfather, then you know that leaves what twenty fifteen
(05:41):
people in total that will then move in and start
wearing police U informs and doing exactly the same work.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
So we're too from here.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
From the cpshu's perspective in terms of moving forward, you know,
it sounds like there's still quite a way to go
in terms of these discussions.
Speaker 3 (05:58):
Even yes, absolutely, like this is extremely early stages. But
you know, it was obviously important that the public be
aware of this. But we're still trying to arrange a
meeting with the Commission for Public Employment and the Chief
Executive officers, hopefully within the next fortnight, so we'll have
more information at that point. And then we need to
(06:21):
help those members who want to be grandfathers to maintain
those roles as well. So we're looking at at a
fairly long process. I mean from some of the members,
they've indicated this would take up to a year. Like
with all the processes that will be involved in this,
this could take a very long time. So that's helpful
in terms of trying to ensure that everything works out
(06:45):
well for our members, but in terms of addressing the
serious public order now it will take some time. But
again the jury is still out because we're still just
talking about shifting the same more cohort that we've been
asking for more staff into another space to do exactly
the same thing.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
So from your perspective, David, I mean, is there any
positives to what they have announced?
Speaker 3 (07:13):
More based on the information that I have at the moment,
I can't see it. We still need to have that information,
We still need to have those meetings with the SEE
to find out exactly what will change. But again, it
just like we already have precedent around this under the
previous government, where they were being given extra powers and
(07:34):
extra responsibilities over a period of about two years. It
came with the caps of can spray, then it came
with the arrest powers of public housing and so on
and so forth. But they were trying to introduce, i
should say, so you know, but again, like they the
the extra powers obviously always comes with you know, as
chart as this sounds, with extra responsibilities, and you know,
(07:56):
there's a lot of scrutiny about using those so there's
a lot of reluctance to even engage in those powers,
engage using those powers because of the heightened level of
scrutiny anyway, So like that, that's that's you know, there's
there's a lot of moving pieces here, and it's moving
very very quickly in terms of you know, just being
(08:20):
just being made away aware of this yesterday morning. So
hopefully within the next two weeks we'll have more information
to start looking at the how to at the very
least ensure that our members are you know, are looked
after in the process.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
Yeah, well, look, we may indeed catch up with you
again in the next couple of weeks David, but really
interesting some further food for thought there. So I appreciate
you taking the time to have a chat.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
With us this morning. No dramastakes, thank you, Thanks so much,
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