MARK DREYFUS QC MP
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR NATIONAL SECURITY
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
CLARE O'NEIL MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES
SHADOW MINISTER FOR JUSTICE
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR HOTHAM
LIBERALS CAVE ON NATIONAL SECURITY FUNDING
The Liberals have been dragged kicking and screaming to restore funding to the Australian Federal Police and ASIO ahead of the election.
Labor welcomes any additional support for this important agency and for our other agencies that work to prevent terrorism and espionage. National security is Labor's highest priority and we will always make sure our agencies have the tools and resources they need to keep Australians safe.
Today's announcement brings AFP funding closer to what the agency received under the former Labor Government. It is disappointing that it has taken this many years for the Liberals to finally fund the AFP like Labor.
The Liberals record on funding the AFP has been woeful. Over the past five years, the Liberals have slashed funding and resources to the AFP over and over.
Most notably, last year, AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin confirmed the 2018-19 Budget contained a $205 million cut to resourcing for the AFP over the forward estimates impacting their work to tackle fraud, organised crime and anti-narcotics. As a result of Liberal cuts, AFP staffing was predicted to fall from 6448 personnel in 2018-19 to 5881 personnel in 2021-22 an extraordinary reduction of 567 AFP personnel.
For years, Labor has been fighting for a fair go for the Australian Federal Police.
The Liberals reluctance to adequately fund the Australian Federal Police until the eve of a Federal election is nothing short of pathetic.
Labor will always look after our Australian Federal Police. As we said just last week, 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.
Labor always has and always will support the Australian Federal Police and our national security agencies in the critical work that they do to keep Australians safe.
SATURDAY, 30 MARCH 2019
