Morning Tea in Support of the Queensland Police Service

Commissioner, other members of the Executive Leadership Team, men and women of the Queensland Police Service, Kaye and I welcome you all to Government House today.  

This house, Fernberg, is the ‘people’s house’, where we centrally recognise remarkable service to the people of our State.

You ladies and gentlemen, the distinguished members of our police, wonderfully epitomise such service, and for that, Kaye and I thank you for all you do in advancing the QPS’s vital mission.

Since we last met together, we have been so pleased to welcome Senior Sergeant John Hodge upon his retirement from the Service to role of Aide to the Governor; Detective Inspector Melissa Anderson as one of our Honorary Aides-de-Camp; and very recently, indeed today is but her second function, Senior Sergeant Donna Stewart.

In addition to recognising remarkable service, Fernberg hosts occasions of national commemoration.

And so, on the eve of National Police Remembrance Day, I extend Kaye’s and my sincere condolences to the friends and families of all police who have been killed on duty or who have died as a result of their service as police officers.

Our thoughts this year turn particularly to Senior Constable Brett Forte’s family, friends and colleagues. It was highly appropriate at this commemoration time that four of Senior Constable Forte’s colleagues received the Queensland Police Valour Award on Tuesday for their role in responding to the shooting.

Commissioner, I acknowledge your leadership in properly memorialising your fallen colleagues and ensuring this National Police Remembrance Day is marked with dignity and respect, with candlelight vigils, marches and memorial services for police officers around the State.

I know that as well as his colleagues on the Gold Coast, officers in the Whitsundays will be paying their respects to the late Detective Senior Constable Damian Leeding, especially those who serve on the Queensland Police Vessel which bears his name – on which Kaye and I were recently privileged to travel.

You may know that Detective Senior Constable Leeding’s widow Sonya accepted a Bravery Medal and Citation on behalf of her late husband at a ceremony here in Government House only two weeks ago. Six of Detective Senior Constable Leeding’s colleagues also received bravery decorations.

While tomorrow has special resonance for police, it is also a day of reflection and gratitude on the part of the broader community.

Queensland is one of the most peaceful places in the world in which to live.

That safety and security is guaranteed by the men and women of the Queensland Police Service, at considerable risk to themselves, and on behalf of the people of Queensland, I simply say “thank you” to each and every one of the police officers stationed throughout our State; and in acknowledging risk, let us also acknowledge on this celebratory occasion, that policing is, I believe for most, a most rewarding and fulfilling career, a career of commitment, courage and utter professionalism.