Henry Pike (Bowman, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I recently had the honour of attending the National Police Remembrance Day service hosted by the Redlands branch of the Queensland Retired Police Association. Each year on 29 September, we pause to honour and remember the men and women of our police services who have lost their lives in the line of duty. It is always a solemn occasion—a time for reflection, gratitude and deep respect for those who served our communities with courage, integrity and unwavering commitment.

Redlands community members came together not only to mourn those we have lost but also to celebrate the lives they lived and the legacies that they leave behind. Those we honoured were more than police officers; they were parents, partners, friends and colleagues. They were people who chose a life of service, guided by a deep sense of duty and compassion. They wore the blue uniform with pride, dedicating themselves to protecting others, often in the face of great risk and uncertainty to themselves. Their courage reminds us of the selflessness at the heart of policing, and their sacrifice reminds us of the true cost of public service.

A total of 151 Queensland police officers have fallen in the line of duty since 1861. At the National Police Memorial in Canberra, down the road here, 832 fallen officers from across the country are now honoured. We owe a continuing debt of gratitude to each of them and to their families, who carry their memory with strength and grace. These families remind us that behind every officer is a network of people who also bear the weight of their service with quiet pride and unwavering support.

During the service in the Redlands, we also acknowledged the men and women currently serving in the Queensland Police Service and in police forces across our region. Their professionalism, their compassion and their dedication keep our communities safe and uphold the proud traditions of those who came before them. I'd like to thank Mark Stiles, the president of the Queensland Retired Police Association Redlands Branch and his committee, as well as Andy Young and other members of the local police command who assisted in organising this powerful commemoration. It has truly become one of the big days in the Redland community calendar. It has become one of the biggest services across Queensland, and I want to thank all involved who made it a tradition. We had it this year at the Champions Church at Thornlands, and I want to thank them for hosting the event.

As we reflected on the lives and legacies of our fallen officers we renewed our commitment to support those who serve today, to ensure their safety and wellbeing are never taken for granted. We honoured their memory, we thanked their families, and we remain deeply grateful for the courage, dedication and sacrifice of all who wear the blue uniform. With honour they served.