The Northern Territory’s men and women in blue are the best paid in the country, reflecting high crime rates and dangers to officers. Photo: Northern Territory Government.
The law-and-order-focused CLP Government in the Northern Territory has added a further incentive to joining its police force, with a new enterprise agreement delivering a pay increase.
Characterising the agreement as the strongest pay deal in two decades, the CLP Government said it was determined to keep the NT Police Force the highest paid in the nation.
Voting on the enterprise agreement closed with more than 61 per cent of members casting a vote and 92 per cent in favour of the deal, which includes:
- Annual salary and income increases of 5, 4, 3 and 3 per cent
- A 5 per cent structural increase to the Aboriginal Community Police Officers (ACPOs) base salary in the first year
- A guarantee that if the CPI exceeds 3 per cent in the fourth year, members receive an increase to match the CPI.
The government added that these additions were on top of existing housing allowances, unlimited sick leave and entitlements.
“We will continue to back in our police every day, every shift, every step of the way,” Chief Minister and Police Minister Lia Finocchiaro said.
”This agreement reflects the respect we have for the hard work they do keeping Territorians safe.
“NT Police are already the highest paid in the country, and this deal ensures constables, senior constables, sergeants and senior sergeants remain number one, with superintendents the second highest nationally.”
Minister for the Public Service Jo Hersey added: “We put three strong offers on the table and got this deal done. Under Labor, police were left waiting endlessly with no outcome.”
The pay rises are well above the current and expected CPI over the lifetime of the agreement, which the government said was a key policy in retaining officers and attracting new ones from other jurisdictions in the country who may be seeking a sea change.
