Thursday, 4 December 2025

 Kathleen MATTHEWS-WARD (Broadmeadows) (17:57): (1478) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Police, and the action that I seek is for the minister to join me in a visit to my electorate. I am really lucky to have two wonderful police stations full of some of the most hardworking and dedicated officers in the state, and I am so grateful for the commitment they show every day keeping our community safe and helping people in their toughest times. We know that the trauma they witness every day takes its toll and places a huge burden on them and their families, and we know of the heartbreak they continue to feel for those who have lost their lives or been injured in the line of duty.

I take this opportunity to thank Superintendent Andrew Markakis APM. I wish him well in his new role and express my appreciation for his collaboration and support of the local community, along with Superintendent Wayne Cheeseman and Acting Inspector Raj Tillekeratne. I look forward to working with Inspector Tim Jacobs as the new Merri-bek local area commander, and I send a belated thankyou to Superintendent Dean Clinton for his wonderful collaboration and commitment to Hume. I have also loved working closely with Senior Sergeant Shayne Kerley. We worked together on many issues and projects. We would bounce ideas, I could ring him any time and he was a great advocate for his staff and the community, including the car park issues in Broadmeadows. I thank Hume council for their collaboration on this matter. He and Senior Sergeant Ayse Mehmet would be at every community meeting doing their very best for Hume. He is currently working at the mounted branch and dog squad, just up the road in the member for Greenvale’s electorate. We would both love the minister to join us on a visit there too.

Speaker, I also want to say thank you so much for everything you do for us. You are truly amazing – an inspiration – and we do love you and pass on our appreciation for everything you have done this year in the toughest of years for you.