Today’s stunning back-flip by Tom Lynch and the CPSU is an overdue admission that they knew from the start that their industrial tactics were stopping police from catching criminals, and risking the safety of Tasmanians.
From this Wednesday, the CPSU will allow staff within Forensic Science Service Tasmania to provide Tasmania Police with reference numbers for positive tests results – and then allow Tasmania Police to retrieve those results on request.
This will allow Tasmania Police to have the vital information they need to catch criminals.
While I welcome the back down, it is disgraceful that the CPSU, strongly supported by Rebecca White and Labor, put the community at risk by preventing Tasmania Police from doing their job.
There is a 6 per cent pay rise over three years on the table, which is fair and affordable for taxpayers and will allow us to invest in essential services and employ 250 more teachers and 1,300 health staff over the next five-and-a-half years.
Background:
As at Friday, 23 November there there are now 175 reports being withheld from police, including 50 with individuals being linked to crimes and 23 reports containing useful results for a police investigator, but Tasmania Police cannot act on this because the vital information they need is being withheld by CPSU-affiliated staff within Forensic Science Service Tasmania.
More Media Releases from Michael Ferguson
More Media Releases from the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management