Legislative Council, Thursday 9 November 2023

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to the staffing of Western District Tasmania Police stations by local government area:

1. What are the numbers of unfilled positions, by rank, in each of the following LGAs;
i) Burnie
ii) Waratah-Wynyard
iii) West Coast
iv) Circular Head
v) King Island

2. What measures are being undertaken to address any of these vacant positions?

 ANSWER:

1. The number of unfilled positions* by LGA as of 30 October 2023:
a. Burnie: 0
b. Waratah-Wynyard: 1 Constable
c. West Coast: 1 Constable
d. Circular Head: 1 Constable
e. King Island: 0

*Unfilled positions are defined as a position where the substantive member is long-term absent from the workplace, and that position has not been backfilled. This does not include absence due to recreation, long service or maternity leave.

2. Vacant positions will be advertised in the Tasmania Police Gazette.

Approval has been given to create a position to fill the constable vacancy within the West Coast (Zeehan Station).

A mirrored position** will be created for the constable vacancy within Waratah-Wynyard (Wynyard Station).

The Circular Head vacancy is advertised in the current police gazette (Smithton Station).

**A mirrored position is where the substantive member is long-term absent from the workplace and the position is identified as requiring another member to fill it based on operational requirements. This position will be advertised in the police gazette to allow another member to fill the position on a permanent basis.