Ralph Babet (Victoria, United Australia Party) Share this | Hansard source

We go about our day today with heavy hearts. Yesterday two Victoria Police officers lost their lives. They were doing what they swore to do, keep the rest of us safe. To their families, colleagues and loved ones, there are no words that can erase this grief, but may you find comfort in knowing that an entire nation stands with you.

Every day our officers aren't merely clocking on for a shift; they are answering a call—a call to protect, a call to serve, a call that sometimes unfortunately demands everything. They walked willingly into danger so others don't have to. What happened yesterday is a gut-wrenching reminder that the freedom we all get to enjoy has a price, and someone must be willing to pay it. Yesterday two Australians did. Yet how often do we see our police painted as the problem by people who, when trouble comes knocking, are the first ones to dial triple 0? The hypocrisy must and should end. The truth is rather simple. Without our police, society collapses. There is no safety. There is no order. There is no Australia as we know it to exist today.

This is not just Victoria Police's loss; it is actually Australia's loss. We should never forget it. May these officers rest in peace. May their families find strength and may we as a nation never take for granted those who stand daily between us and chaos. God bless you and God bless our nation.