National Police Legacy Day

Ms THOMPSON (Davenport) (14:57): My question is to the Minister for Police. Can the minister inform the house about National Police Legacy Day?

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee—Treasurer, Minister for Defence and Space Industries, Minister for Police) (14:57): I thank the member for the question, and I also recognise those members who are wearing the Michaelmas daisy in reference to National Police Legacy Day, which is an important day where all states and territories that have Police Legacy organisations take the opportunity to recognise and promote the work of Police Legacy.

While a number of members in recent times have made contributions to this place about the number of police both in South Australia and in other parts of the country who have lost their lives in the course of serving their communities, Police Legacy not only supports those impacted by those losses but also supports the families of police officers with other losses and other impacts to their families. This is incredibly important work and so today, 17 June, is the day that we nationally recognise the work of Police Legacy.

I was fortunate earlier today to attend the annual event which is put on by Police Legacy South Australia to acknowledge the work that Police Legacy does here in our state, and also recognise some of those families who have been impacted—whether it has been through a loss of life that has occurred in the course of a serving police officer in their duty or whether it has been through some other impacts.

I have to say that it is one of the most impactful experiences I have had as a member of parliament today, sitting and hearing Peter Shanahan talk at length about the loss of Joanne Shanahan—just over five years ago, on ANZAC Day in 2020, Peter and Joanne were the victims of one of the most horrific traffic collisions on our state's roads—and what the impact had been on him and his family. I also acknowledge one of the other attendees at lunch today, Paul Ashenden, a journalist at The Advertiser who, as members would be aware, has written a series of articles covering the impacts on Peter and his family, including Peter and the late Joanne Shanahan's children, Nick and Eleni, and about what their journey has been over the last five years.

This is a really important organisation and I am really grateful to all the members who have shown their support today acknowledging the work of National Police Legacy Day. In the last 36 years since 1989, $2½ million has been disbursed by the South Australian Police Legacy organisation to support the thousands of police families who have been impacted by tragedy or loss in so many different ways. I want to acknowledge the organisations that support them, in particular Police Health; the Police Association of South Australia; their patron, of course, the police commissioner; and the many other organisations and charities that provide their time, effort and, particularly, financial support to allow them to continue doing the really important work that they do out in the community.