Wednesday, 27 August 2025

 Danny O’BRIEN (Gippsland South) (09:44): I rise today on behalf of the Nationals to extend our condolences to the family and friends of those police officers tragically killed at Porepunkah in the north-east yesterday. This is a tragedy beyond compare that highlights yet again the risk and the threat that our officers are put through every day. To the family and friends of the 59-year-old detective from the north-east, who was apparently just weeks away from retirement, to the family and friends of the 35-year-old senior constable who was also killed and to the wounded officer, another 35-year-old senior constable, we send our best wishes and our hopes for a speedy recovery.

This is a tragic incident, a horrific incident, something that should never occur, but it is a reminder of the danger that our force put themselves in every day. To the north-east community as well and to my colleague the member for Ovens Valley, who is representing that part of this state, this is a difficult time. We are with you, and we send our thoughts and prayers to that area as well. I have family members in the force and I have friends in the force, and I have sent messages around last night, and I know that everybody in the force is hurting today. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those killed and with the officer who was injured. We are also deeply respectful and thankful for the work officers do every day.