Tuesday, 25 August 2026

 Anthony CARBINES (Ivanhoe – Leader of the House, Minister for Artificial Intelligence and the Digital Economy, Minister for Major Events, Minister for Medical Research, Minister for Racing, Minister for Economic Development) (12:12): I move, by leave:

That so much of standing and sessional orders be suspended on Wednesday 26 August 2026 to allow the Speaker, following the prayer and Acknowledgement of Country, to invite members to stand for a minute’s silence, if they are able, to honour the service and sacrifice of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart, who were tragically killed in the line of duty at Porepunkah on Tuesday 26 August 2025.

I know that both the Minister for Police, the honourable member for Frankston, and the Shadow Minister for Police, the member for Berwick, are attending memorial services in Wangaratta and Bright today and tomorrow, which is most appropriate. Certainly, as I was Minister for Police at the time of these murders – and murders is what they were – and given the serious injury to a third police officer, I know that it is most appropriate for the Parliament to give consideration to a minute’s silence tomorrow to pay our respects both to their families and to all police members who work hard every day, 24/7, to keep our community safe and also to acknowledge the role their families play in supporting them and the importance of making sure that they continue to get home to their families every day after keeping us safe in the community. Our thoughts are with all members of Victoria Police in what is a very challenging and difficult week for them and the families of those members who were killed in the line of duty.

Motion agreed to.