Karen McNamara (Dobell, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

It is with a great sense of honour and some sadness that I speak to this motion on behalf of the Brisbane Waters and Tuggerah Lakes local area commands and the wider Central Coast community. I thank my friend and colleague the member for Macarthur for bringing this motion before the House and I commend him on his 25 years service in the New South Wales Police Force. Since 1788 the men and women of the New South Wales Police Force have been protecting our homes, families, businesses and communities. The New South Wales Police Force has grown from the first civilian police force in Australia, known as the Night Watch, to one of the largest police organisations in the English-speaking world, with over 15½ police officers and around 4,000 civilian staff.

I am fortunate to work with two local area commands in my role as the member for Dobell and two very impressive and dedicated local area commanders. Superintendent Daniel Sullivan, Commander of the Brisbane Waters Local Area Command, advised me of the significance of the National Police Remembrance Day. He said: 'As police, we choose a role in our community knowing that one day we may have to pay the ultimate sacrifice of fulfilling our sacred oath of office. Our families, however, do not get that choice. They live with the real fear that every time we say goodbye before heading to work it could be the last time we ever say those words.' The Central Coast, tragically, has three names on the National Wall of Remembrance. This is why Superintendent Sullivan supports and participates in fundraising activities for New South Wales Police Legacy—including walking to Tamworth, cycling to Canberra and, most recently, paddling the Brisbane Waters—to help those who are left behind after an officer has fallen.

On 29 September I had the honour of attending a memorial service to commemorate National Police Remembrance Day, which is observed in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Solomon Islands. I joined with current and retired members of the New South Wales Police Force at Wyong Anglican Church to honour officers who lost their lives while performing their duties. We also paid tribute to those members of the police force who have lost their lives through illness or other circumstances. Superintendent David Swilks, Commander of the Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command, said: 'This day is a solemn occasion where we take the opportunity to honour the selfless sacrifice of those who preceded us as well as those who have been our workmates.' Our local service was conducted by Reverend Dan Connor, New South Wales Police Chapman, Tuggerah Lakes LAC. He said: 'Professional policing is truly a noble vocation, a vocation that carries an inherent risk. We pause today to remember those fellow officers who gave their lives in their pursuit to bring justice to others. Their sacrifice was not in vain and will not be forgotten.' These words capture the significance of National Police Remembrance Day.

Thankfully, in the past year no Australian police officer has lost their life on duty. However, we do pause to acknowledge the 757 officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and the countless others who have been injured. Every day, our police men and women put on their uniform, leave their loved ones and go to work knowing the tremendous risks associated with their job. They do it for the love of the force and the love of their community.

I wish to acknowledge and pay tribute to members of the Central Coast police force who have lost their lives in the line of duty: Detective Sergeant Richard Whittaker, who passed away on 28 September 1991; Senior Constable Christopher Thornton, who passed away on 13 April 2001; and Senior Constable Peter 'Gordie' Wilson, who passed away on 11 November 2006. On behalf of the Central Coast community I thank these officers for their service and sacrifice. My thoughts are with their families and friends who carry with them every day the hurt of losing a loved one—a father, a brother or a son—while they were going about their everyday job and dedicated service to their community.

This motion also commends the outstanding work of Police Legacy, who dedicate their time to supporting police and their families particularly in times of tragedy and need. In New South Wales, Police Legacy provides care and support to over 20,000 serving and retired police officers. Police Legacy cares not only for families who are suffering from loss and grief but also for those experiencing misfortune who may require extra support.

In closing, I acknowledge the members of the New South Wales police force for their commitment and dedication to keeping our community safe and protection us from those who fail to respect the law. I commend the outstanding dedication and commitment of all Australian police officers, and the support provided by civilian staff, for their service and contribution to protecting our community. I commend the motion to the House.

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