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Anthony Albanese paid tribute to the two police officers shot dead in what was described as an ambush in Wieambilla on Monday, saying their lives were ‘cut short by this atrocity’.
“This is indeed a devastating day for everyone who loved these Aussies. And our hearts go out to those who are in the grip of terrible pain,” she said.
“We know this news has hit a tight-knit and supportive Queensland community hard, as well as of course the community to which all police officers belong.”
Officer Rachel McCrow, 29, and Officer Matthew Arnold, 26, died after being mobbed while responding to a missing person call on property in the rural town.
Pictured to the left is Queensland Police Officer Constable Rachel McCrow, who was killed in a shooting on December 12, 2022 in Queensland.
Pictured is Queensland Police Officer Constable Matthew Arnold who was killed in a shootout at 251 Wains Rd, Wiembilla, Queensland on December 12, 2022.
The officers “didn’t stand a chance” against the group of unmarked gunmen according to Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll.
Ms Carroll told reporters that the attack was intended to kill as many people as possible.
“As I said, I went to the scene, it was a standoff as you can see…in my opinion, those officers didn’t stand a chance,” he said.
‘The fact that two made it out alive is a miracle. The incident is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of surveillance.
Two police officers survived the attack and have been identified as Officer Keeley Brough and Officer Randall Kirk, both 28 years old.
Mr. Albanese spoke about the dangers police officers face in their daily work.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured) said “this is a devastating day for everyone who loved these Aussies”, referring to two police officers and a civilian killed in Queensland.
“Today is a difficult day for all police officers and their families, all officers know the risk they face in the life of duty,” he said.
They are all too aware of the dangers they face. However, they do their job, they do it for our communities.
‘That is courage and that is public service at the highest level, and today and every day I pay tribute to each and every police officer who serves their local communities and who serves their nation.
This is not a price that anyone who puts on the uniform should pay. We can never count the true cost.
‘My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of all those affected by this tragedy.
‘Honourably, they served, and Australia mourns with you today. We are with you always.
The group of officers had traveled to the address in Wieambilla, three hours west of Brisbane, at 4:40pm on Monday to investigate the disappearance of missing Dubbo man Nathaniel Train.
Officers Matthew Arnold (left) and Rachel McCrow (right) who died in the incident were based at Tara Police Station and previously worked in the Dalby region.
One of the surviving officers, Constable Brough, who had joined the police force only nine weeks ago, fled the scene and escaped into nearby bushland.
The group then set fire to the bushes to try to smoke her out.
A neighbor who came to investigate after the incident occurred was also shot dead around 5 p.m.
It is understood that more shots were fired at him and the bodies of the officers, and the Glock pistols of the dead and wounded officers were taken.
Police declared an emergency declaration zone at 6pm, covering the area between Chinchilla Tara Road, Wieambilla Road, Bennets School Road and Mary St.
At 2am, Queensland Police confirmed that two men and a woman, Nathaniel Train, his brother Gareth and a woman, had been killed by officers at 10:30pm.
A specialized police team of 16 officers then rescued Officer Brough and Officer Kirk was taken to the hospital.
The two officers who died in the incident were based at Tara Police Station and previously worked in the Dalby region.
Agent McCrow joined the force in June 2021, while Agent Arnold became an officer in March 2020.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton (pictured) said the killings would send “chills down the spine of any police officer turning up on any job today.”
Opposition leader Peter Dutton also addressed the incident, saying it “would send chills down the spine of any police officer going to any job today, across the country.”
And families will be torn apart. The families, the loved ones of those policemen who said their last goodbyes yesterday, will never recover from that,” he told the Nine Network.
“The police family is absolutely devastated. People will be marked by the experience.
‘It’s time for our community, our country to rally around the police and support them and always remember that they go into the line of fire and into that danger zone so we don’t have to.
“We should be very grateful for the work and sacrifice of these two officers yesterday, and a thought and prayer today for all members of the law enforcement family.”