Roles and Functions
The AFP falls within the portfolio of the Home Affairs Ministry, a ministerial position outside of the Cabinet and subordinate to the Attorney-General. The Minister responsible for the AFP is the Minister for Home Affairs, Jason Clare MP . Prior to the creation of this ministerial portfolio with the commencement of Rudd Government in November 2007, the Minister responsible for the AFP was the Minister for Justice and Customs.
Key priorities of the AFP are set by the Australian Minister for Home Affairs and Justice, through a 'Ministerial Direction' issued under the Australian Federal Police Act 1979. The current Ministerial Direction was issued by the former Minister for Home Affairs, Brendon O'Connor MP, on 1 July 2010.
The AFP enforces Commonwealth law and protects Commonwealth and national interests from crime in Australia and overseas. The AFP provides community policing to the ACT, the Jervis Bay Territory, Norfolk Island, Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The AFP provides protective security for (and on behalf of) the Australian Government.
The AFP is Australia's international law enforcement and policing representative, and is the chief advisor on policing issues to the Australian Government. The AFP maintains an extensive international liaison network, officers are posted to 33 international posts. The AFP works closely and collaboratively with all Australian police forces and criminal investigative agencies and Crime Commissions.
The AFP consists of a workforce of over 6500. The Australian Federal Police Act 1979 is the legislative base for the employment of all AFP staff. Each employee is described in the legislation as an AFP Employee, who are then declared as either a Member (Police Officer, Federal agent) or (Uniform Protection Officer)-Protective Service Division. In addition, the Commissioner may appoint any person as a Special Member of the AFP. A Special Member may be given any powers and duties of an AFP member under the Act but is not regarded as a special constable.
Industrial representation of AFP staff solely rests with the Australian Federal Police Association branch of the Police Federation of Australia.
Read more about this topic: Australian Federal Police
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