Alicia Payne (Canberra, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

On 29 September, we will mark National Police Remembrance Day. This is a day to reflect on the courageous officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. This is the 36th National Police Remembrance Day, and it is an opportunity to pay tribute to the courage, commitment and dedication of police officers who protect our community each and every day. On the 29th, a ceremony is held at the National Police Memorial, in my electorate of Canberra, each year. It complements the ceremonies that are held in each state and territory around the country. The National Police Memorial honours and remembers those police officers from all Australian police jurisdictions who gave their lives in the line of duty. It provides an opportunity for solemn reflection and seeks to encourage serving and retired police officers, their families and the community to honour the memory of those who have given their lives in service.

Here in the ACT, ACT police officers have been serving the capital since 1927. The original local police force had one police sergeant and 10 Commonwealth police officers. While ACT policing has now expanded and become the community policing arm of the Australian Federal Police, these officers have diligently protected our city no matter the challenges put ahead of them.

The Australian community is reminded of the importance of National Police Remembrance Day by the terrible events at Porepunkah. They are a reminder to all of us of the dangers that police officers face in keeping our communities safe each day. I offer my deepest condolences, on behalf of the people of Canberra, to the families, loved ones and colleagues of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart.

Detective Leading Senior Constable Thompson was looking forward to retirement and all the possibilities that would open up for him with his partner, Lisa. Senior Constable De Waart came from Belgium and served his community in Victoria. He was a man with many passions, including motorbikes and scuba diving. Both of these men will be deeply missed by their families and communities. May they rest in peace.

We honour their bravery, and my thoughts are with their fellow officers who were at the scene, including their colleague who is recovering in hospital from gunshot wounds. As the Prime Minister said, the death of any officer in the line of duty hits deeply at the heart of members of the police family. Every day, as a police officer puts themselves on the line, they are doing it for the safety of their community, and they know that there is a possibility that the worst could happen on that, or on any, day. Often police officers are the first responders—whether in an emergency, during a pandemic or in a natural disaster—at significant personal risk. It is they whom we look to, to keep us safe, protect us and guide us in the most challenging of times.

It is the bravery of these police officers at work every day that makes their loss even more deeply felt. For the families of police officers who have passed away, on or off duty, Police Legacy is there to support them. This service provides support and financial assistance to these families, no matter the circumstances—through accident, injury or illness.

The Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance is another event that celebrates and remembers those police officers from around Australia who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. This year, the final leg of the ride, between the New South Wales Wall of Remembrance in Sydney and the National Police Memorial here in Canberra, will take place on Saturday 13 September. Police, family, friends and visitors are welcome at the National Police Remembrance Day events, and I strongly encourage the community to attend.

This day is a time to grieve with police families who have lost loved ones and reflect on their commitment to duty and to keeping our communities safe from harm. We all stand with the families and loved ones of the fallen officers, who we will come together to commemorate.

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