Anne Stanley (Werriwa, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

It's my honour to rise to support the motion moved by the member for Fowler and to acknowledge National Police Remembrance Day on 29 September this year. I also note the work of Mr Hayes and many others in the 20-year campaign to construct the national memorial and to instigate the observance of a national remembrance day. The memorial was unveiled in Canberra on 29 September 2006 in Kings Park on the northern shores of Lake Burley Griffin. There are over 700 officers currently commemorated at the national memorial, beginning with Constable John Luca, who was killed in the line of duty in 1803.

Unfortunately, four Victorian officers have joined that list of police officers killed in the line of duty. Those officers—Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, Senior Constable Kevin King, Constable Glen Humphris and Constable Joshua Prestney—were killed in a multivehicle collision on Melbourne's Eastern Freeway whilst performing their duties in April this year. It was an incident that rocked the nation. I send my sincere condolences to the families, friends and work mates of these officers. I note that the member for Kooyong is present here and that his community was also affected. Those Victorian officers joined Constable Timothy Proctor, from the Liverpool area command, who lost his life in a car accident last year. I know that the Liverpool command still feel that loss.

National Police Remembrance Day acknowledges the crucial role that police officers play across Australia. Whether it's in our local communities at social events or assisting with national disasters or global pandemics, the police force are here to serve. 29 September is one of the most significant days in the national police calendar. As a nation we pause to remember the police officers who lost their lives while fulfilling their duty to protect the community. This day is an opportunity to honour the courage and commitment of all police members. Undoubtedly this year's commemorations will be very different because of the pandemic, but I know they will be no less heartfelt and solemn.

The trust the community places in our police should never be underestimated. The risks faced by police officers every day in the variety of roles and responsibilities they take on are recognised and deeply respected by the community. Police officers are often called upon when people are facing some of the most distressing times in their lives. Situations such as this require calm, clear and focused voices. Police officers around the country provide the confidence and leadership that is required to support and care for people in need. Many officers have had to face these circumstances on several occasions and conduct themselves with the utmost professionalism.

The logistics support during this pandemic delivered by the New South Wales Police Force, not only those in command but the officers on the ground, was essential to ensure the safety of our community. Throughout the changing landscape over the last 12 months, officers did not get complacent. They continued to keep the communities safe. I acknowledge and thank Liverpool city area commander Superintendent Adam Whyte for the great work he and his officers have performed in the electorate over the last 12 months. He and his command continue to provide a high level of professionalism and they have been providing resource and logistics support during the pandemic. Whether assisting with hotel quarantine, border surveillance or continuing to investigate crime and make arrests, they have been making our community proud.

On a personal note, I thank Commander Whyte for always being available to me with advice and support, which has been indispensable. Not only is he great to chat to, he provided crucial guidance and direction during the pandemic's early days when their health orders were changing so rapidly. This made it much easier to properly coordinate my office so I could correctly and effectively provide advice for questions raised by constituents. The way in which officers approach their duty day in, day out should be an example to all of us. There's no such thing as a normal day at the office for a police officer. Their important role and their willingness to take on whatever comes makes them some of the finest members of their community.

I'm extremely proud of the police, particularly in my community of Werriwa, and I thank all officers, all over Australia, for their service to our community. I pay tribute to the families and friends of the officers who've been killed in the line of duty. I commend the valuable work of Police Legacy, who look after the loved ones when police officers have fallen. I support the nation's police officers. I honour their courage, commitment and dedication to ensuring the peace and safety of our communities.

A division having been called in the House of Representatives—

Sitting suspended from 17:16 to 17:26

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