Forensic scientists at the ACT Government Analytical Laboratory, joined by medical physicists, pharmacists and other engineering professionals across the territory, began indefinite protected industrial action from Monday, after the ACT Government disrespected them by failing to even respond to their claim for a hazard allowance.
Professionals Australia Lead Organiser Ashley Sutherland said the forensic scientists who enter Canberra’s clandestine drug labs, handling methamphetamine, fentanyl and toxic chemicals in volatile, contaminated environments, do so without the hazard allowance paid to comparable frontline roles. Professionals Australia tabled an allowance to recognise that danger months ago. The ACT Government has not even bothered to respond to the claim.
“These are the people who walk into the most dangerous environments in Canberra, then handle substances that can kill in trace amounts.
“We asked the ACT Government to recognise that hazard. They did not reject the claim. They didn’t even bother to respond to it.”
From 12:01 am Monday, 29 June, the territory’s specialist workforce began a range of protected industrial action measures. At Canberra Hospital, medical physicists who keep radiation treatment safe for cancer patients are withdrawing from non-urgent radiation oncology and out-of-hours work, while still responding to any immediate danger to patients or staff. Patient welfare will not be put at risk.
Ms Sutherland said pharmacists at Canberra Health Services and technical and professional staff in other directorates are taking parallel action. All face the same offer, a 3 per cent a year over three years, below inflation, with superannuation improvements delayed and no backpay.
“You cannot tell skilled professionals you value them while refusing to respond to their basic questions.
“Members did not take this decision lightly. The government’s answer, so far, has been silence.”
Professionals Australia members join a wave of ACT public sector action this year, after teachers, doctors and administrative, health and housing staff took action over the same below-inflation offer.
“If the ACT government can find money to pay consultants and labour hire, it can fund a fair and reasonable offer for the professionals who keep the Territory’s public service running.”
The Union is asking the ACT Government to backdate any pay rise to 1 June 2026, agree the outstanding Analytical Laboratory, Pharmacy and Medical Physics claims, respond to the Technical and Other Professional claims, return to the table, and put forward a revised pay and superannuation offer above inflation.
“Our action will continue indefinitely, and our members are prepared to escalate their industrial action if the government does not come back to the bargaining table with a serious offer”, Ms Sutherland said.
