The Queensland Police Union has confirmed they plan to buy the rural Queensland property where two police officers and an innocent neighbour were killed by three conspiracy theorists.
Four police officers were involved in a horrific shoot out, after they were sent to investigate a missing person’s inquiry at a home in Wieambilla, about three hours west of Brisbane.
The cops were met with bullets which saw Constable Matthew Arnold, 26, and Constable Rachel McCrow, 29, killed “execution-style, while their colleagues Constable Randall Kirk and Constable Keely Brough escaped with injuries.
A neighbour Alan Dare was also killed in the attack.
The attackers, Nathaniel, Gareth and Stacey Train were also killed by police in a subsequent standoff with officers.
In a Facebook post, the QPU confirmed that plans were underway that could see the land bought by the state government and transformed for police use or as a retreat for serving and retired cops.
“I have spoken with the Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and she has supported our idea for the land to be resumed so a meaningful memorial can be created, the families of Matt and Rachel are also backing our proposal,” said Mr Levers.
Mr Leavers said whatever the outcome, the property would stand as a memorial to Constable McCrow and Constable Arnold. The new acquisition would also ensure the land would not be co-opted by conspiracy theorists in the future.
“I do not want this land to be used by anti vaxxer, pro gun conspiracy theorist, or sovereign citizens to use the reputation of this site for their warped and dangerous ideologies. The QPU has an obligation to safeguard this property to honour the police and a good intentioned neighbour who lost their lives at this location,” Mr Leavers added.
Commissioner backs national firearm registry
Off the back of the horrific Wieambilla attack, calls have been made create a national firearm registry.
The move has been backed by Mr Leavers, as well as the Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll.
Speaking to The Australian, she said she was “supportive of examining any changes needed to improve officer safety and further protect the community”.
“Enhancing national databases and information-sharing arrangements across jurisdictions remains a priority for the Queensland Police Service,” she said.
As it stands, gun registries are enforced by each state and territory, however a push for a national registry have been put forward in the aftermath of the 1996 Port Arthur massacre and 2014 Sydney Lindt cafe siege.
According to NCA NewsWire, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is planning to bring the proposal of introducing a national gun registry to national cabinet in early 2023.