National Police Remembrance Day, National Police Memorial, Parkes ACT
[E&OE]
I acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the land we are meeting on and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. I acknowledge their continuing culture and contribution to this region. I’ve said many times that we are blessed to live and work in such a lovely part of the country — from the Namadgi to the south, the Brindabellas to the west, the Molonglo and Murrumbidgee rivers — and I thank the traditional custodians for looking after it, generation after generation.
It is a privilege for Linda and me to be in your company and to participate in this Remembrance Service.
The service is an important date in the policing calendar — an opportunity for us to honour the memory of Police officers who have given their lives in the service of the community.
I want to begin by expressing Linda’s and my heartfelt sympathies to the loved ones of Constable Matthew Arnold, Constable Rachel McCrow and Constable Anthony Woods, and the other officers commemorated on this wall.
I know this is a difficult day.
I hope you gain comfort by being with members of the Police family.
Today’s service is a poignant reminder of the risks faced by our Police officers every day — every single day.
Yet in the face of risk and danger they choose to serve, protect us and keep us safe.
It is what they do.
In many instances, it’s all they ever wanted to do — to be a Police Officer.
Police work is inherently dangerous.
In December of last year, Constable Arnold and Constable McCrow from the Queensland Police Service were murdered in Wieambilla in Queensland in an incident that shocked the nation.
And in June of this year in another incident that shocked us, Constable Woods from the Western Australia Police Force was killed while attempting to arrest an offender in a motor vehicle in Western Australia.
These incidents bring into sharp focus the risks faced by Police officers every day as they help keep our communities safe.
I go back to my earlier point: It’s what they do.
The men and women who make up Australia’s Police forces take an oath, pledging that they will act to protect the community, regardless of the risk to their own health and safety.
For mine, the oath translates to having a big heart for the community.
- selflessly moving towards danger to help someone in their hour of need
- being first on the scene of an horrific incident
- providing support, care, comfort and protection to someone or some group under duress
- being a role model in the community, someone whom kids can aspire to be
- working the beat, policing for a safer community.
That’s what I call having a big heart for community.
Constable Matthew Arnold (26), Constable Rachel McCrow (29) and Constable Anthony Woods (28) had big hearts for the community.
They epitomised the finest qualities of policing.
They, and the other 823 names on this wall, faithfully honoured the commitment they made to protect the community.
Today, Australia remembers those decent and brave men and women who lost their lives while in the line of duty or as a result of injuries sustained during policing.
In closing, I ask that you look around you.
You are surrounded by mates, colleagues, and the Police family.
This family is tight.
Its members are there for one another.
To the families of Constable Arnold, Constable McCrow and Constable Woods…
...please know that all of us here today and those participating online collectively wrap our arms around you and say we stand with you.
We stand with you in this moment of remembrance.
And we will stand by you in the days, weeks, months and years ahead.
You are not alone.
To all Police officers — thank you for what you do; thank you for protecting us all.
[Ends]