South Australia gets Australia's first police union in 1911, formed courageously in the face of personal costs
South Australian Police Association members were called Bolsheviks and other abuse during a 1918 dispute with the South Australian government.
Australia’s first police union – the Police Association of South Australia – was formed in 1911, a time when a constable never had a rostered day off and was earning eight shillings a day – a third less than a bricklayer.
Federal figures for 1909 show there were 929 South Australians per police officer – the highest ratio in the nation. Long shifts, poor pay and little scope for changes were catalysts for unrest within the ranks and fuelled moves towards a meeting of disenfranchised officers at the city watchhouse on January 11, 1911.
The association’s founders showed courage in the face of personal consequences. They were called Bolsheviks and other abuse during a 1918 dispute with the South Australian government. Some union officials were transferred, without appeal, within the force.
Most notably, association secretary Walter Wissell in 1918 was sent from Adelaide to Kadina by commissioner Thomas Edwards. He died from a violent assault during an arrest in Wallaroo’s main street. Sub inspector Fraser, touted to become commissioner, had his career damaged by standing up to the government in a leadership role in the 1918 dispute that was settled without strike action – unlike the disastrous police strike in Victoria in 1923.
Yet the Police Association of South Australia wasn’t recognised by the government or police commissioner until 1921. The association went on to be one of the most influential and powerful unions in South Australia. Its leadership and achievements nationwide set the agenda in the industrial and law-and-order areas.
The union kept a nearly 100% non-compulsory membership of the force into the 21st Century, with police officers enjoying excellent rates of pay, a generous superannuation scheme, regular days off, and fair and just promotional opportunities.