Wednesday, 27 August 2025

 Anthony CARBINES (Ivanhoe – Minister for Police, Minister for Community Safety, Minister for Victims, Minister for Racing) (14:15): Two officers lost their lives upholding the right to serve and protect our community yesterday and another is in hospital but out of surgery. Chief Commissioner Bush visited that officer today – life-changing for that officer. Seven other officers who attended the property at Porepunkah with their colleagues are being debriefed and supported at this time. Those two fallen officers are among now 175 others who have lost their lives in the line of duty here in Victoria, and in spite of those harrowing events police members continue to hunt for an armed and dangerous offender at large to bring him into custody to ensure community safety for people in the north-east. People in the north-east can act on the chief commissioner’s advice and contact 000 and Crime Stoppers if they are concerned or see anything at this time. I acknowledge the member for Ovens Valley in getting that message out to the people of his electorate.

I want to thank Chief Commissioner Bush for his leadership and Wayne Gatt, the association secretary. They were in Wangaratta last night offering welfare and support services to police members and their families, and that continues. For police ministers and chiefs in other jurisdictions, sadly, these losses are too well understood. Every support and resource is being offered, and we thank our colleagues in other jurisdictions.

Every fortnight at the academy new graduates pass through, and they take an oath to serve and protect the community that they are members of. What would we do without them? When you see them, you should thank them. It is very inspiring to see them make that commitment on behalf of all Victorians. While they are hurting and their families are hurting, they are still on duty and working today and tonight, tomorrow and every day. I know, on behalf of everyone in this Parliament who represents communities, that we will thank our police every day for the work they do.