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Contemporary arguments about policing in Australia have been marked by a concern over an increasingly interventionist role of police in politics. Police, both departments and unions, have been playing a prominent role in public debates over law and order issues,police staffing levels and other policy matters. It is argued that historical scrutiny of policing since the 1890s indicates a continuing role and influence ofpolice in both policy making and law reform. Ifsuch has been the case, then understanding the contemporary political role of police in Australia requires re-evaluation of the changing contexts affecting the visibility and prominence of police interventions.