David Feeney (Batman, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Justice) Share this | Hansard source

Mr Deputy Speaker, I second the motion. On 29 September I had the pleasure of attending a dusk service hosted by the Australian Federal Police to commemorate all of those officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty and to salute the courage of all those who wear a police uniform.

The dusk service was held at the National Police Memorial, which was officially opened in Canberra on 29 September 2006. This memorial pays tribute to Australian police officers who have been killed on duty or who have died as a result of their duties since the advent of policing in Australia. Importantly, the memorial recognises the unique nature of police service and the dangers that police face in the doing of their daily duties. Officers of our law enforcement agencies put their lives on the line to protect our communities every day. National Police Remembrance Day is a time to acknowledge the men and women of our law enforcement agencies who put their lives on the line to protect our communities, to secure our way of life and to ensure that we live safely today.

In my electorate of Batman, police at Northcote Police Station were unanimous in their decision to honour the late Sergeant Brian Kilmartin with the Breavington Award, which was presented to his widow, Andrea, and sons Joshua and James, after a ceremony at All Nations Park War Memorial on 10 September this year. Sergeant Kilmartin was known for quietly going beyond the call of duty and it was apt that his service to the community was recognised. Northcote Police Senior Sergeant David Yates described the late Sergeant Kilmartin as a 'dedicated, kind and caring police officer'.

The Breavington Award for policing excellence is presented annually in memory of former Northcote police officer and World War II prisoner of war Corporal Rodney Breavington. Corporal Breavington was a Northcote policeman when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941. He resigned immediately to join the Army, then aged 38, ending up in a workshops engineering unit of the 8th Division in Singapore. Corporal Breavington became the first Australian to be executed by the Japanese in 1942 during World War II, after escaping from a prison camp where thousands of allies were held. Acts of courage and strength characterised his last months. In Fairfield where he lived with his wife Margaret, there is a place called Breavington Park, with a playground, a memorial fountain and a plaque, saying he was described by his commanding officer as the 'bravest man he had ever seen'.

Fortunately this year no Australian police officers were killed while on duty, but we will never forget and eternally honour the 757 Australian officers who have paid the supreme sacrifice. It is also important to remember the remaining loved ones of those killed on duty.

Police Legacy started in 1971 when the Queensland Police Legacy was established. Today, the Queensland Police Legacy is an independent charitable organisation that aims to assist the families of all deceased police officers as well as the dependant children of terminally ill officers or officers who have lost a spouse. Since 1971 every Australian state and territory jurisdiction has created a Police Legacy of its own. Each Police Legacy essentially asks a number of questions, including what the officer who died would have wanted for their family and what opportunities they would have tried to give their children. The Legacy groups try to provide ongoing support to the families of police officers, and much of this work is done by volunteer staff.

I take this opportunity to thank and commend all of those who serve in our law enforcement agencies and also their families and friends who support them in their duties.

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