My question is to the Minister for Home Affairs. How is the work of the Australian Federal Police helping to keep Australians safe, and how is this work being recognised?

I thank the member for Reid in raising issues that were honoured last night when the Police Federation of Australia held this year's National Police Bravery Awards, where we acknowledge the work not only of the Australian Federal Police but of all those who form the police services and police forces around the states and territories. In referring to police bravery, I specifically acknowledge the members of this House who have worn the uniform: the members for Richmond, Tangney, Wide Bay, Cowper, Hinkler and La Trobe.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

The National Police Bravery Award is an award by police for police. Last night, there were two different groups—one individual and one group of officers—who were honoured. The group that was honoured, who were represented last night by Andy Williams from the Queensland police force, were those officers who responded to the Wieambilla shooting. In December 2022 four police officers arrived and, without warning, were shot at. While doing their jobs Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow were murdered. After the initial barrage of fire, Constable Keely Brough and Constable Randall Kirk found cover in nearby bushland at separate locations. With gunfire continuing, Randall Kirk found cover on the ground behind a tree, withdrew to his police vehicle, got the radio from the vehicle and called through essential intelligence to the rest of the force. That was notwithstanding the fact that he'd been shot in the hip as he ran.

Constable Kirk made radio contact with other police, providing the intelligence. Constable Keely Brough remained undiscovered by the offenders, hiding in the grass. The response from the offenders was to set fire to the bushland, hoping to bring her out. She called triple zero as she hid in the grass, at times whispering to the operator essential intelligence as the offenders searched close to her hiding place. That information made sure that, as other officers arrived and headed towards danger, as much intelligence as possible had been shared. In total, 54 police officers participated in that response, and we all honour them.

Last night we also honoured senior constable Bikash Bharati from Burwood Local Area Command in the electorate of Reid. On Sunday 5 October last year police were called to Georges River Road near the intersection of Brighton Street after reports of a shooting. One of the first officers on the scene was Senior Constable Bikash Bharati. He directed the junior probationary constable who was with him to take cover and then, having protected the junior, went out to danger himself, under fire, to assist a victim trapped in a vehicle. It was only when he was given orders to take cover that he did so himself. We have only been privileged to have Bikash Bharati here in Australia since he arrived in 2015 from Nepal, but we are very proud to have you as a fellow Australian.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

Also joining us, representing all the commissioners, is the Australian Federal Police commissioner, Krissy Barrett. Commissioner, we thank you for your continued service to the Australian people, and through you we thank every single member of the blue family throughout Australia for the way they keep us safe every day.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

on indulgence—I want to join the minister in saying that it was my great honour to attend the Police Bravery Awards last night at the Hyatt Hotel with AFP commissioner Krissy Barrett and Police Federation of Australia head Scott Weber and to hear the remarkable stories.

Bikash is based in Burwood in the electorate of Reid, but he also serves part of my electorate of Grayndler. To Senior Constable Bikash Bharati and his wife, who I had the opportunity of meeting as well—we need to remember that the families of police officers, just like the families of our Australian Defence Force, do a remarkable job—that was a story I well remember. I was with the Premier of New South Wales when that occurred. The actions that Senior Constable Bharati took were brave and extraordinary. Last night his speech about coming here as a migrant from Nepal and making a contribution to Australia, his new home, was very moving indeed.

Similarly, Andy Williams spoke on behalf of the 54 Queensland police officers about the siege that took place at Wieambilla, and the loss of life due to murder of Constable Matthew Arnold and Constable Rachel McCrow. He acknowledged that even more loss of life and injuries would have occurred if not for the bravery of so many police officers who were there that day. I attended the funeral of Constable Arnold and Constable McCrow, or the memorial service that was held. There is nothing more moving than the service of a farewell by fellow officers, and it was such a sad, sad occasion but very moving as well.

Those who wear blue are put their lives on the line every day and take risks. Indeed, while I was there, there was an alert, a security issue, at The Lodge, and Australian Federal Police officers visited The Lodge. Once again, we know that the security situation is very serious, which is why I do say turn down the heat across a range of issues. Queensland Police officers did a remarkable job on that day. I pay tribute to all those who were recognised last night, and I pay tribute to every single police officer right around this country who serves in the interests of their fellow Australians.

on indulgence—I'd like to associate the coalition with the fine words of the Prime Minister and the Minister for Home Affairs and pay tribute alongside them to those brave police officers who put themselves in harm's way and to all our police officers, preventing, detecting and responding to or investigating crime. We thank you for your service, your courage and your commitment to keeping Australians safe. Of course, in particular, I pay tribute to Constable Bharati for the work you did—absolutely astounding, as we just heard a moment ago. Thank you so much.

And thank you to the many individuals who are in this place who have served as police officers in the past—the members for Richmond, Tangney, Wide Bay, Cowper, Hinkler, La Trobe—and to the many past police officers who have been in this place. Of course, that includes the former leader of the opposition and the former member for Macarthur who I served with in this place when I first came in. They are extraordinary Australians who have played such an important role over such a long period of time. I have nothing but admiration for our police officers. I've spent many years, of course, living near Goulburn, which is a police town, as the member for Eden-Monaro knows only too well. New South Wales does all their training there, and I've got to know extraordinary Australians. Thank you for your service.