Page 703 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 1 May 2007
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
and must have been an enthusiastic mentor to somebody he clearly had confidence in, potentially to go through to even higher office.
The ACT community has lost an intelligent, enthusiastic and caring Chief Police Officer who impressed many and achieved much in her all-too-short time in office. The AFP and the ACT government have lost a professional and creative Chief Police Officer. Audrey was broadly qualified, with a range of professional and personal skills. How she fitted into her short life a full range of family, personal and professional activities is beyond most people’s comprehension. In her time as Chief Police Officer, Audrey made a wonderful contribution to our community. Her quiet, careful approach promised much into the future.
I have to finish by saying this: the big sleeper, underestimated by all of us, politicians, leaders, technocrats and the media—our police service in some respects is similar to aspects of the defence force service overseas but is distinctly different, given the perennial nature of the confrontational aspects of policing—is that personal stress accumulates over the years, mainly unseen by mates, family, leaders and even by the individuals themselves.
Her death was a great shock and a great loss for all of us. Most could not have anticipated that happening. I echo the words of the minister with respect to the scrutiny of senior, unelected officials. That is a very, very good point made.
I pay tribute to the gracious way in which Audrey Fagan handled a very difficult job and honour her enormous contribution to the ACT community. I pass on my sincerest sympathies to her family, friends and colleagues. May she rest in peace.
MR HARGREAVES (Brindabella—Minister for the Territory and Municipal Services, Minister for Housing and Minister for Multicultural Affairs): It is indeed with sadness that I rise on this condolence motion to speak of my association with former Chief Police Officer Audrey Fagan. Members have gone before me and have indicated the extensive nature of Audrey Fagan’s CV. I will not go down that track.
I would like to speak a little about the Audrey Fagan that I knew. I was the Minister for Police and Emergency Services when Commissioner Keelty suggested Ms Fagan for the appointment, following the retirement of Chief Police Officer John Davies. I met Ms Fagan and was immediately taken by her obvious compassion, dedication to her community and her professionalism. She had a unique blend of humanity and the desire to lead a professional bunch of police officers who walked with their community.
Audrey Fagan was not just another police officer who had risen to the top. She was one of us. Audrey Fagan was a role model for all the police officers under her command. I know, from the many personal contacts I have had with junior and senior officers, that she was deeply loved and respected. Audrey Fagan was a consummate executive, a dedicated street-based police officer, a leader in the area of mentoring women of all ages and was personally responsible in so many ways for putting high-quality women leaders into the decision-making process.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .