Ministers statements: Victoria Police deaths
Anthony CARBINES (Ivanhoe – Minister for Police, Minister for Community Safety, Minister for Victims, Minister for Racing) (14:12): While some in this place have sought to focus on conspiracy theories and fringe voices, I rise today to acknowledge Victorians who have shown their support and gratitude for the men and women of Victoria Police, who work tirelessly to keep our community safe. Our police have been touched by an overwhelming tragedy, the impact of which is felt by all Victorians, and we have seen our community unite behind Victoria Police. Stations across the state have been inundated with cards, chocolates and flowers. Wreaths have been laid at the police memorial on St Kilda Road, and last night buildings were lit up blue and flags flown at half-mast to honour our police. Many of us have seen the moving footage of the impromptu guard of honour of police honouring their fallen colleagues. I know Police Association Victoria secretary Wayne Gatt has also been up north-east, where he has been for several days visiting stations, talking to members and ensuring they have the support that they need. Victoria Police Legacy have established a remembrance fund to support the families of those officers that have been lost as a result of this unspeakable crime, and Victorians have given generously already. At its core, politics is about people, and people across our state are hurting, from Porepunkah to Stonehaven and in all our other towns and suburbs, and they are the laserlike focus of our government.
Victoria Police have lost two of their own, Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart; another is recovering in hospital. It was a privilege, alongside the Premier and Chief Commissioner of Police Bush, to spend some time today with Mr Thompson’s wife Lisa, also a serving officer of Victoria Police. We pay our deepest respects to these officers and their families, and we wish our police members who continue to hunt a dangerous fugitive and armed offender every success. We want them to stay safe as they do that and as they continue to keep the people of the north-east safe in their work. Police often see people when they are at their most vulnerable and on their most difficult days, and they make a difference. In recent days we have seen our community unite behind our police during one of their most difficult times, and it is making a difference.