Chris Hayes (Werriwa, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I withdraw, Madam Deputy Speaker. I would like to put on record today that I am very concerned that some members of our esteemed judicial system are sanctioning this style of language and behaviour against our hardworking police officers. It is utter nonsense, and it is not good enough for our legal system to let down the people who protect our community and to feel that it is okay to treat police as second-class citizens.

It is distressing that in this chamber over a year ago I raised similar concerns regarding how police and the community felt abandoned by the Western Australian justice system after an assault took place on a police officer, leaving him paralysed. That matter went unpunished. I applaud the tough comments of Peter Remfrey, the Secretary of the Police Association of New South Wales, and I echo his remarks that police should not be regarded as punching bags for society nor should they be open to this form of abuse. I have always taught my children, and now I am teaching my grandchildren, to respect the police, and it is time that members of our judicial system show similar leadership and community based thinking. Surely our police cannot be expected to protect our communities if they themselves are not being properly protected.

Finally, I would like to congratulate Minister Chris Evans on his intention to cancel the visa of a man who was convicted of the manslaughter of Senior Constable Glenn McEnally. (Time expired)

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