E&OE TRANSCRIPT

DOORSTOP

MELBOURNE

SATURDAY, 3 OCTOBER 2015

 

SUBJECT/S: Tragic shooting in Parramatta.

 

BILL SHORTEN, LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION: Good afternoon everyone.

 

The tragic shooting yesterday in Parramatta is a truly shocking incident.

 

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Curtis Cheng. Our thoughts are with his colleagues in the NSW Police Force who are in mourning today.

 

As NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said this morning: there can be no doubt that the heroic actions of three NSW Police Officers should be recognised.

 

Also though, our thoughts are with the family of the 15 year old alleged perpetrator.

 

They must be struggling to comprehend how someone so young could be part of such a terrible crime, indeed all Australians will be struggling with this fact.

 

It is important though to stress that our security and police agencies are amongst the best in the world.

 

It is important to stress that fans going to the Grand Finals of the AFL and the NFL this weekend are not deterred from attending.

 

It is critical at sad times such as this, that we don’t let the voices of division and disunity fill the national conversation. We are always stronger and safer when we stand together.

 

We are a great nation. We are great because we are diverse and inclusive.

 

There will be many in Australia’s Muslim community struggling with the terrible news of this terrible event. It is important to understand that the actions of one do not represent in any fashion the Australian Muslim community.

 

Australia and Labor are very committed to a bipartisan approach - we will continue our bipartisan approach on national security, we did with Tony Abbott, we will do the same with Malcolm Turnbull. This country works best when we fight terror together.

 

Thank you.

 

ENDS

 

MEDIA CONTACT: RYAN LIDDELL 0427 225 763