Queensland Public Safety and Integrity Agencies International Women’s Day 2024 Event

Minister for Police and Community Safety, the Honourable Mark Ryan MP; Minister for Fire and Disaster Recovery and Minister for Corrective Services, the Honourable Nikki Boyd MP; Commissioners and representatives of our State’s Public Safety and Integrity Agencies; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you Queensland Police Service Acting Commissioner Steve Gollschewski APM for your warm welcome this morning.

I would also like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to all First Nations people with us today.

I was very pleased to accept the invitation to this important annual event – important because it brings together representatives of the many agencies that are critical to the welfare and safety of communities throughout this State.

At the outset, I take this opportunity to thank them, on behalf of all Queenslanders, for their commitment, their perseverance, and their integrity.

Today, and every day, our public safety and integrity agencies remain constantly vigilant, ensuring that we are supported and protected.

In particular, on International Women’s Day, I thank them for their tireless work on behalf of women and girls.

The agencies here today are all too familiar with the litany of sobering statistics for family and domestic violence, homelessness and the inequalities and that affect so many women today.

But we can all be proud that they are focused on finding and implementing solutions, individually and collaboratively, however complex the problems may seem, and I thank and commend them for that because it is through their effort that we build and sustain cohesive communities.

I congratulate the winners of the Queensland Police Service Women in Policing Awards, the Queensland Corrective Services’ International Women’s Day Awards, and the Women in Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Awards, and trust you will enjoy today’s keynote speakers and panel discussion.

I also take this opportunity to thank Ms Katarina Carroll APM for her exemplary service as Police Commissioner and wish her well in retirement.

Happy International Women’s Day!