Llew O'Brien (Wide Bay, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

Firstly, I'd like to acknowledge the previous contribution by the member for Swan. I'll just acknowledge that it is extremely difficult to give a speech about a member of your community who has lost their life serving that community. Thank you.

I stand here today to contribute to this condolence motion for Constable Anthony Woods, a police officer who will forever more rightly hold the title of 'hero'.

In the execution of his duty, providing us with a peaceful society so we can live our incredibly fortunate lives, he paid the ultimate price with his. On Thursday 8 June at 1 am, Anthony and his partner were working when they intercepted a suspected stolen vehicle being driven by a 23-year-old person who had recently been released on bail. As a result of that intercept and the circumstances that followed, Anthony lost his life in the most horrific way. He was transported to hospital, after his partner did everything he possibly could to try and save his life, where he was placed in an induced coma and then finally succumbed to his injuries on the 11th.

Anthony served his community for three years, and, as a former police officer, I know what that's like. I know that journey. It's a proud journey. But it's a journey where police put themselves forward, not to wear a uniform, not to have power, not to hold a gun on their hip. They do it to help their fellow citizens. That's what they do it for. And that's what he was out doing when this terrible tragedy occurred. He was out helping his citizens. It highlights not just how fragile life is but also how these things can happen so rapidly. For police, every intercept could be exactly what we've seen here. An unknown risk is a high risk, and every car that you pull over—you just don't know. It could be as dangerous as that horrible domestic violence incident that you had the knowledge of before you went. Police do this every night. They're doing it all of the time, and we need to acknowledge as a society the dangers in which they operate.

Anthony's probation report said he was a great all-rounder and an officer that any community would want responding when they call triple 0. I can envisage Anthony, although, obviously, I didn't meet him. He would have been a proud young constable, and he would have put that uniform on with pride. I was told once by a person I had a great deal of respect for that, when you put that uniform on, you are embodying every good citizen in the community. There is an immense amount of satisfaction in doing that and doing it properly, and that's what he was doing.

My deepest sympathies go out to Anthony's colleagues at the Belmont Police Station. It will be a very difficult time not only for you but for the wider community. Hold your mates close. Spend time with your family. Do all of those things that you know make you stronger. This is the nature of policing, unfortunately. Take care of your mates: that's my message to those people. WA Police Legacy is accepting donations on behalf of the Woods family, and I would encourage all citizens to help out and make a contribution to that legacy fund.

This loss comes only a relatively short time after the horrible incident in Wieambilla in Queensland, where Queensland lost two members of its police service and a citizen, Alan Dare. The members were Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, whose lives were also taken in the line of duty. On 16 September, the Wall To Wall ceremony will be held. At the ceremony, which is held every year, sadly, new names are added to the bronze plates on the memorial wall on Lake Burley Griffin. It will be a sad time in September. I'll be there, and I would encourage any others who can be at that ceremony to come along and to show their support for their brothers and sisters wearing the blue uniform. My deepest sympathies go to Anthony's wife, Emily, his mum and dad, and his broader family.

Rest in peace, Constable Anthony Wood.

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