Danny O’Brien, leader of the Victorian Nationals

The tragedy in Porepunkah is devastating and beyond comprehension.

The loss of two brave police officers and the serious injury of another has deeply shaken regional Victoria.

On behalf of the people of regional Victoria, I offer my heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the police officers lost.

Words are nowhere near enough to ease the pain, but we grieve alongside them.

My thoughts and prayers are also with the brave officer injured.

This serves as a reminder of the preciousness of life and the extraordinary bravery of our police, who we know will be hurting today.

We thank our police across all of Victoria who are out there each and every day putting themselves at risk to uphold the right.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan

What has occurred in Porepunkah ... is shocking and utterly heartbreaking.

Two Victoria Police officers have lost their lives in the service of our state. Another has been seriously injured. These families are facing a kind of grief they should never have to endure.

Policing comes with danger, and every day, our officers meet that danger with such enormous courage and dedication. This tragedy is a painful reminder of that bravery.

Our government stands with Victoria Police — today, and every day, they wear that uniform with pride.

And we stand with the community of Porepunkah — who are now carrying the weight of this horrific day.

They will not carry that weight alone.

Our thoughts are with the emergency services still responding to this unthinkable crime.

And our hearts are with the families, friends and colleagues of those who have been lost.

Every support they need, we will provide.

Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy

The heartbreaking events that have unfolded in Porepunkah today are beyond comprehension. The senseless and unimaginable loss of two dedicated police officers, along with another officer seriously wounded, is a tragedy that has shaken our entire community to its core.

On behalf of the people of Ovens Valley, I extend my deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the officers whose lives have been so cruelly taken. No words can truly ease their pain, but we grieve alongside them and honour the ultimate sacrifice these officers made in the line of duty.

This is a dark day for Victoria Police, for our region, and for the whole of Victoria. The bravery of those who serve and protect us must never be taken for granted. To see lives cut short in such a violent and senseless act is devastating and leaves a wound that will be felt for years to come.

I also extend my thoughts and prayers to the officer who is recovering from his injuries, and to all the families and loved ones caught up in this unimaginable ordeal.

Our community will stand united in mourning and in support of those who dedicate their lives to keeping us safe. Today we are reminded of both the fragility of life and the extraordinary courage of our police.

Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell

I am genuinely shocked and saddened to learn that two Victoria Police officers have been killed, and a third wounded, in a shooting during a police operation at a rural property in Porepunkah.

Police officers risk their lives every day to protect the community, and tragic incidents like this remind us that the threats they face are real, and we owe them the highest respect for their courageous service.

My thoughts are with the families of the officers, their friends, all members of Victoria Police, and the entire Porepunkah and Bright community. I offer my deepest condolences to the families of the two officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, and I pray for the full recovery of the wounded officer.

Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines

Our community is shocked and devastated by the tragedy that has unfolded in Porepunkah today. It is the most terrible of days, with the loss of two serving police officers and the serious injury of a third.

To the families and friends and colleagues of the two police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, my heart breaks for your immeasurable grief and I join with all our community in standing by you in this most terrible of times. To the third officer seriously injured, also in the line of duty, I join in the prayers for your recovery.

Everyone deserves to make it home at the end of their shift. It is utterly heartbreaking that two members serving our community will not do so today.

This appalling event has shaken not only Porepunkah, but communities right across the north-east, and indeed the nation. While we may be geographically spread, we are close-knit, and in moments like this we feel the loss together.

I want to acknowledge and thank the police and emergency services who are continuing to respond to this ongoing incident.

I also thank the local community for their co-operation during the police response. In particular, the principal and staff of Porepunkah Primary School, who kept their students safe and calm during lockdown for many hours.

As this is an ongoing situation, I urge members of our community to pay attention to and follow the information and instructions provided by Victoria Police.

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Thursday, 16th March 2023

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