Key events
Victoria police are set to hold a media conference on the latest information out of Porepunkah in a few minutes, at 8.30am. We’ll carry the latest updates as they come through.
Sussan Ley pays tribute to slain Porepunkah police officers
The opposition leader, Sussan Ley, has paid tribute to two police officers killed at Porepunkah yesterday. She called the shooting “a heartbreaking tragedy that has touched every Australian”.
“These officers gave their lives protecting their community, and our nation grieves deeply with their families, friends and colleagues. This loss is a solemn reminder of the dangers police face each day and the extraordinary courage it takes to serve,” Ley said in a statement.
To every officer who wears the uniform, you carry our respect and our gratitude.
Ley also spoke of the detective who was left injured, and other police responding to the incident in the rural Victorian town.
In this moment of profound sadness, Australians stand shoulder to shoulder with Victoria Police. We will honour those who have fallen and never take for granted the courage and service that keeps our communities safe.
AFP and Asio assisting with investigation, says home affairs minister
The home affairs minister, Tony Burke, said this morning that both the Australian federal police and Asio are assisting with the investigation in Porepunkah.
Andrew Hastie says society has seen a ‘breakdown in trust’ in governments since pandemic
The shadow home affairs minister, Andrew Hastie, was asked on RN Breakfast about the concern surrounding fringe ideologies spreading through society. He said those ideas spark a real concern:
I think since Covid, we’ve seen a breakdown in trust for governments, whether it be state or national governments. And so we have to work extra hard to win the trust of those we represent.
There is no excuse ever for violence in this country, particularly of the sort that we saw yesterday, which claimed the lives of two police officers. …
I think social cohesion is more frayed than ever. There’s more misinformation and disinformation out there. A lot of people went down the rabbit hole during Covid and they never came back up.
Porepunkah primary school to remain closed today
The local primary school in Porepunkah will not open today on the advice of Victoria police, Allan said earlier:
The advice is that the request for the community to continue to remain indoors. The advice I have is the school, the primary school will not be open today as well. And this is all based on the advice of Victoria police and I urge everyone in the community to follow that advice.
Victoria premier says ‘a lot of people feeling a deep grief today’
The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, just spoke to ABC News, saying “every resource” was currently devoted to the manhunt, but said it has been a difficult few days for the community in Porepunkah.
She said:
While we wait for further details to come from Victoria police, we put our arms around the Victoria police family. A lot of people are feeling deep grief today and they’re also going to work today to keep our communities safe. So it’s been … it was an incredibly tragic day yesterday and it continues to be a tough one today …
What happened yesterday was a tragedy. But also a hideous crime that was perpetrated on those who go to work every day to keep us safe. And that makes it even more awful and horrific.
Good morning
The suspect behind the shooting of three police officers, two of whom are dead, in Porepunkah, Victoria, is still on the run. Police said the man’s family, including his partner and his children, attended a local police station last night, but the man’s whereabouts remain unknown as a massive search continues today.
The town of Porepunkah is about 300km north-east of Melbourne and police are combing dense bushland as part of their search. But residents of the town and surrounding areas are being urged to remain indoors until further notice.
We’ll bring you more updates as the day moves along.
