Vic: Mullett slams bullying report

AAP General News (Australia)
04-18-2007
Vic: Mullett slams bullying report

MELBOURNE, April 18 AAP - Police Association Victorian secretary Paul Mullett says
he will refuse to be interviewed by police over bullying allegations against him, after
a report recommended renewing investigations.

Senior Sergeant Mullett also lashed out at Victorian Ombudsman George Brouwer, who
tabled the report today.

Mr Brouwer's report has recommended WorkSafe and Victoria Police further investigate
the claims against Sen Sgt Mullett, because initial investigations were inadequate.

Sen Sgt Mullet said the report was "scandalous".

"It's vexatious, it's a total attack and erosion of the independence of a free and
independent trade union, being the police association," he said.

Flanked by union heavyweights and surrounded by about 30 supporters at Trades Hall
in Melbourne, Sen Sgt Mullett said the police force had no right to intervene in union
business.

Asked whether he would agree to be interviewed by police officers, Sen Sgt Mullett
said he would not.

"No. We may as well hand over the keys to the police association to the chief commissioner,"

he said.

Sen Sgt Mullett said he would seek legal advice on whether he would have to be interviewed
by WorkSafe investigators.

He denies he is a bully, saying he has only ever sought to stridently push the cause
of his 11,000 members.

He called on the state government to examine Mr Brouwer's double role as ombudsman
and director of the Office of Police Integrity (OPI).

"It's a two-ringed circus staring George Brouwer as the OPI and George Brouwer as the
ombudsman," he said.

"(There is a) direct conflict of interest where he doesn't criticise himself in this report."

Sen Sgt Mullett said the report was part of a campaign against him aimed at destabilising
the union during enterprise bargaining talks.

"It smacks of political opportunism," he said.

"This entire sad saga was commenced by a very small group of police association dissidents
who attempted to gain control of the police association.

"They lost and our strong advice to them is they should get on with their lives."

Victorian Trades Hall Council Secretary Brian Boyd said he also was concerned by the
ombudsman's report.

"We have a clear policy of asking for the employers not to interfere in the internal
affairs of a union, any union," he said.

"And one of the key recommendations of the ombudsman's report asks the Victoria Police
to again go inside the police association and interfere in their processes and it's not
acceptable."

AAP kl/gfr/cjh/bwl

KEYWORD: BULLYING MULLETT

2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.