The Australian Federal Police Association has warned that a government request for public service savings could undermine national security if applied to the AFP. The union wrote to Finance Minister Katy Gallagher seeking an exemption from the efficiency drive, which Labor has not denied involves finding 5% in savings across departments and agencies.
AFP Association President Alex Caruana stated that a 5% cut would strip nearly $100 million from AFP services, posing a direct threat to Australia's national security capability. He noted chronic shortages in specialist roles such as cybercrime investigators, forensics examiners, and counter-terrorism officers, warning that further cuts would hollow out these positions and accelerate losses to the private sector.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers confirmed the government is asking departments to identify lower-priority spending for redirection, but insisted it is not a cut and does not specifically target jobs. However, he did not rule out job losses from the exercise. A cabinet source indicated the AFP would likely be included, as the Department of Home Affairs has been asked to participate.
The AFP already faces an annual efficiency dividend of 1%, and Commissioner Krissy Barrett has flagged an expansion of the agency's focus toward national security. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley accused Labor of breaking promises if job losses occur, contrasting with their campaign against the Coalition's plan to cut 41,000 public service positions.
