Prime Minister
Prime Minister: Thank you very much, Ben. I hadn’t planned on making remarks today but I must admit, looking upon New South Wales’ finest, I couldn’t resist. I acknowledge the Gadigal elders past, present and future. I acknowledge the servicemen and women and veterans who are here with us today. But most of all I acknowledge you. I acknowledge the great men and women of the New South Wales Police Force.
My father stood where you stood decades ago. He would be very proud to look upon you today. He was passionate about community policing, as Commissioners past and present know. You are part of our community. You protect our community. You are pastors of our community. You promote our community. You will stand in the places where our community fractures and breaks. You will see and hear and feel things, and experience things that those of us who do not wear that uniform never will. You stand in that gap for our community. You will find no more noble service than what you are undertaking here.
Today you have taken an oath, and we are placing our trust in you and you have accepted that trust in that oath, and we thank you for that. You have joined the gold-standard of police forces, not just here in Australia, but all around the world. I know your family will be bursting with pride, as I burst with pride for my father’s service. Thank you so much and God bless you.