Tania Lawrence (Hasluck, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

We stand here in this place as representatives, and as far as workplaces go it is a relatively safe place. Police officers are also representatives, in the sense that they go out every day and stand where most will not stand and do what most cannot do. They work at the difficult and unpredictable face of executive government, fulfilling tasks that few of us would be able—or, still less, willing—to do. Their work is necessary, and when they do their work they do it on our behalf.

The death of a police officer in the line of duty is felt deeply across our communities by those who can understand the work they do for us. Constable Anthony Woods passed away earlier this month in hospital from injuries received while carrying out his duty. He was run over by the driver of a vehicle while the arrest of that person and two other occupants of the vehicle was in progress. Tributes for Constable Woods have been made by the premier and the police commissioner. The commissioner stated that Constable Woods exemplified the values of the WA Police Force.

This terrible event occurred in Ascot. Ascot is not far from the city. Many or most people in Perth pass through Ascot on a regular basis, and when we do so we don't expect to be attacked or killed. Police officers carry a different burden. They know that they will often be asked to put themselves on the line, and they know that the people they will very often have to deal with will be unwell, emotionally stressed, drug affected, or just too immature or morally deficient to properly govern their own behaviour. Police officers stand there on our behalf.

I add my condolences to the many that have been expressed. For the colleagues and first responders, for the family and friends of Constable Woods, taken too young, I'm sorry. May you draw strength from the community around you, the love that's being expressed from across the country, and the support of Police Legacy to get you through this time.

As legislators here and in the states, let us continue to find ways, across all portfolios, to reduce and remove the precedent conditions that can lead to these events taking place at all. That is our role in this. I'm grateful to be joined by the member for Wide Bay, who spoke just previously, with his 16 years of experience, and members like the member for Tangney, a decorated former police officer. We have the knowledge and experience in this place to be able to make those changes. Eighty-eight serving officers have died in the line of duty in Western Australia. Just one is too many.

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