The Hon. TONY KELLY (Minister for Police, Minister for Lands, and Minister for Rural Affairs) [1.08 p.m.]: Police officers put their lives on the line every day they go to work. Each day that they report for duty they know their shift might include any number of situations in which they, their colleagues or the community could be in danger. That is the job our police have signed up to do. The men and women of the New South Wales Police Force are those special people who refuse to take a backward step in the face of danger. They are committed to fighting crime and to making our communities safer. For that they rightly deserve and receive the wholehearted support of everyone in this Parliament and everyone in the community.

I have spoken to the Hon. Mike Gallagher about this incident, and I know I speak for everyone in this House when I say that we are all shocked by yesterday morning's vicious attack on a young mother on her way to work in Kings Cross. It is especially galling when this woman is a member of the dedicated staff at Kings Cross police station, committed to a career of driving down crime in that difficult area. I can assure members that while this young mother fights hard to regain her health, her police colleagues will be fighting just as hard to bring her cowardly attacker to justice. I am advised that the police officer underwent surgery yesterday afternoon. She remains in a serious condition today. Her injuries are significant but her family has confidence in her determination and her fighting spirit.

I have spoken to the commander of the Kings Cross Local Area Command and I know that this senseless crime has rocked him and his command. I know I speak for the Hon. Mike Gallacher and everybody in this House when I say that our thoughts go out to the injured officer's husband and family. No-one in the community should be prepared to shield the perpetrators of this violent crime. So I urge anyone who has any information whatsoever about this incident to contact Kings Cross police or call Crime Stoppers.

[The President left the chair at 1.11 p.m. The House resumed at 2.45 p.m.]