MEMBER VALUE ADVOCACY AND REPRESENTATION INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT

By John Gellel ASIAL President

As we close off another financial year, I want to take this opportunity to recognise some of the achievements your Board of Directors have contributed during 2022/23. Equally important are the challenges our industry has faced and the steps your Board of Directors has taken to minimise industry disruption.

In several respects, 2022/23 was a year that brought more direction, three years after the onset of COVID-19, which triggered a fundamental transformation of the economy, our industry and our association. “With the challenges, disruption, and regulatory intervention by government during COVID ending, the ASIAL Board was able to resume strategic planning and activity on behalf of its members” said ASIAL Board Director, Brian Foster.

One of the most recent challenges thrown to us is the Federal Government’s proposal for Same Job – Same Pay. Quite simply, as things stand now, we oppose it. We share the Government’s wish to stamp out abuses of labour hire wherever it occurs, but so far, the Same Job - Same Pay concept has been over-simplified. And in their discussion paper on Same Job - Same Pay, the Government has lumped all Labour Hire workers into the same bucket. Security Officers, in protective services and electronics, are highly-skilled professionals, who do specialised work that is beyond average casual labourers. So it is unfair and unrealistic to put them all in the same category. Once learning of the government’s Same Job – Same Pay proposal, your Board of Directors developed a communication plan based on our position. For members, we guided our team to create podcasts, explaining the issues relating to the proposal. We also communicated externally, to advocate our position to government, as we feel strongly that this proposal will hurt all members, regardless of their size. “In the security industry, where time and resources are precious commodities, staying informed about the myriad impacts on their business can be a daunting task for our members. However, we have taken on the responsibility of thorough research and proactive communication, ensuring that our members are well informed about the issues that directly affect them” said ASIAL Vice-President, Rachaell Saunders.

Another focal point for your Board of Directors this year has been cyber security. A companion issue is Artificial Intelligence – “AI”, which is mostly about a machine’s ability to perform the cognitive functions we associate with our minds. Director Michael Smith said that “the ASIAL Board is making sure the Association is influencing, assisting and guiding authorities to ensure these technologies can be used by our members to create a competitive advantage for their business.” Our concern is the ethical framework governing AI in security – or rather –the lack of an Australian ethical framework.

So we have begun a consultation process with members and other important stakeholders to develop our own ethical standards for automated facial recognition (AFR) and other emerging security technologies. With their feedback, we have created ASIALs Guiding principles for the ethical use of Automated Facial Recognition. As our members consider the use of AFR, they now have a document that provides seven-points of guidance for ethical use of AFR. In addition to publications for our members, your ASIAL Board has also looked internal at our own potential cyber risks. To this end, we have created the ASIAL Incident Response Plan, which describes the process that is required to ensure an organised approach into managing cyber incidents within ASIAL and coordinating response and resolution efforts to prevent or limit the damage that may be caused. This document is the first of its kind for ASIAL, which over time, we plan to also provide a similar document that our members can use for their own business.

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Your Board of Directors launched ASIAL GO, a new member benefit that provides access to everything ASIAL in the palm of your hand 24/7. ASIAL Go features everything from the latest industry news and regulatory updates, through to events, rates of pay schedule, templates, publications, polls, resources and even renewing your membership. We have made this app available free of charge to all members, including their employees. Globally, more people access digital content through their smartphone, instead of a desktop PC. We recognised this trend early last year and created ASIAL GO as another way to support our members.

We created a new position within the secretariat, as a way to improve marketing. Our newly appointed Strategic Marketing Manager is tasked with developing strategic marketing programs which directly and indirectly support our members. Over the next 12-months, our team will create programs aimed to support our members in creating new value for their customers. Our team will also drive strategic marketing programs to other stakeholders that have a direct influence on our members. For example, creating content on why major end users and governments should use a professional security company, which adheres to a code of conduct.

Your Board of Directors recognised the significant challenges that our members are facing in attracting and retaining the necessary talent required to build capability and capacity to meet market demand. The COVID-19 pandemic has served to further accentuate this challenge. To this end, we have created a dedicated careers portal, that is now released in its first stage. The careers portal creates awareness and understanding about the diversity of roles that our industry has to offer. The portal will display what career pathways are available, including training and licensing requirements. In addition to creating the careers portal, ASIAL exhibited at the Western Sydney Careers Expo, a first for ASIAL. The expo attracted over 21,000 students, and our team were able to have deep conversations with students and their parents as to why they should choose security as their career. We know that we must encourage young kids into the industry, for a brighter future.

Internally, your ASIAL Board recognise the need to update policies, in line with business changes. We have reviewed and updated over ten internal policies which better support our members through improved customer service, and our employees.

Finally, we continue a conservative and responsible approach to our finances. While we do invest in areas that provide member value, your ASIAL Board understands the need to be conservative and responsible with our finances, including our cash reserves. We know the association has built its strong financial position over 50-years and understand the need to conserve our finances; as a healthy association will be sustainable over the longterm, which benefits all of us.

As always, the ASIAL Board is here for you. We are all contactable should you wish to discuss any of our current and future plans. Thank you for continuing to support ASIAL.