The powerful police union, which boasts membership of almost every officer in the state, yesterday gave in-principle support to an 18-month pay freeze.

The freeze is central to the government’s budget with claims it will save $50 million and 500 jobs if applied to the entire public service.

The initial policy was for a one-year freeze with no pay band increments but this was rejected by unions and killed in the Legislative Council.

The Police Association of Tasmania has swung around after the government agreed to drop the ban on wage increments and quarantine frontline jobs.

Association president Pat Allen said members were prepared to swallow a pay pause in light of state finances and the government’s commitment to boost police numbers.

‘‘The association has discussed the wage pause at scheduled branch meetings and the members have shown a clear understanding of the fiscal situation facing the state, which of course includes the bottom line of the police service budget allocation,’’ he said.

‘‘The restoration of numbers is of high importance to the work, health and safety conditions of our members as well as the safety of Tasmanian families.’’

Treasurer Peter Gutwein said if the deal was endorsed by union members the government would not swing an axe through the force.

‘‘We will be able to quarantine frontline policing from the additional budget savings measures required if the pay freeze is not agreed to [by other unions],’’ he said yesterday.

‘‘We thank the Police Association for their constructive and mature approach in difficult budget circumstances. We would urge all unions to follow their example.’’

All eyes will now be on other public sector unions, which have so far resisted an 18-month pay pause.

Instead they have indicated strong support for a six-month wage freeze in order to negotiate further savings with the government.

The deal is conditional on the government not culling more than the 700 jobs already outlined in the budget.

However, this unlikely to get the Treasurer’s blessing.

‘‘We are looking forward to seeing all unions’ savings proposals, noting that only a full 18-month pay freeze across the public sector will deliver the $50 million in savings needed to prevent additional job losses,’’ he said yesterday.

Police union members will now vote on the deal and if passed it will be effective from December 1.

The vote will coincide with the union’s enterprise bargaining process.