Mr NATHAN HAGARTY (Leppington) (14:03): I speak in support of the amendments. Fundamentally, the bill is about ensuring that police memorials are treated in the same fashion as war memorials. The two amendments ensure that that applies across the board in two ways. With regard to compensation for damage or desecration of a memorial, currently the court can order that a person pay damages of not more than $4,400 when war memorials are damaged. It makes eminent sense to extend that provision to include police memorials, if that is what we broadly seek to do with the bill. That is a sensible suggestion, and the Government will obviously support it.
The other amendment makes the same suggestion in relation to destroying or damaging property. Section 195 of the Crimes Act makes it an offence to destroy or damage property. Section 195 (1AA) makes it an offence to intentionally or recklessly destroy or damage property in relation to a war memorial. Again, it is eminently sensible to extend that provision to police memorials. The inclusion of police memorials within the scope of that provision aligns with the purpose of the bill and is entirely consistent with the Government's support of the bill. Therefore, I support the amendments.
Mr NATHAN HAGARTY (Leppington) (10:49): I make a short contribution to debate on the Summary Offences Amendment (Police Memorial Offences) Bill 2025. I strongly support this commonsense bill. My dad was a police officer, and I know what it is like when families turn on the radio or the news and hear about a police officer who has been injured or worse. There is a split second when they think, "Could that be Dad?" I know how harrowing that is. My birthday is on Police Remembrance Day as well, so it is something I think about every time I get a year older.
I thank the member for Barwon for bringing this commonsense reform to the House. While my dad is now retired, I have a brother-in-law and a couple of cousins in the force. I guess that makes me part of a proud policing family. As the Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism said, we should all take some time to visit the memorials and reflect on the service that officers in the force give every day. They put themselves into the unknown—into danger—to keep us safe. I strongly support the bill, which makes a very welcome reform. I would be surprised if it did not get unanimous support and pass on the voices. I thank the member for bringing it to the House, and I look forward to seeing it pass.
