571. Hon ALISON XAMON to the minister representing the Minister for Police:
I refer to the government’s plans to introduce a redress scheme for medically retired police officers by the end of 2018.
(1) Has the mechanism for delivering the redress scheme been decided upon?
(2) If yes to (1), will the government consult with key stakeholders such as the WA Police Union on the details of the scheme before it is finalised; and is it intended that any redress payment will be classified as income and therefore subject to income tax?
(3) If no to (1), what options are being considered; and will the government consult with key stakeholders such as the WA Police Union in order to inform the preferred option?
Hon STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The following information has been provided to me by the Minister for Police.
(1)–(3) The McGowan government appreciates the service given to the Western Australian community by these former police officers and recognises the impact their service has had on them and their families. That is why our government made an election promise to recognise former officers medically retired due to work-related illness or injury. Key stakeholders such as the WA Police Union will be consulted. A submission is being prepared for the Australian Taxation Office. The government is keen to avoid the payment being treated as taxable income. An announcement will be made soon; certainly before the end of the year.