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Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has become emotional during a condolence motion for the two police officers and local resident who were killed in Queensland during Monday night's siege.
- Mr Dutton and other MPs paid tribute in parliament to the three people killed
- He said the pain of Monday's events would endure for some time
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the nation was mourning with the families of those killed
Mr Dutton served as a police officer in Queensland before entering federal politics in 2001.
Parliament was recalled to sit on Thursday to pass the government's energy relief package, but members in the House of Representatives have also been given time to deliver condolence motions in response to the events earlier this week.
Mr Dutton became visibly upset as he delivered his speech, and paid tribute to Constable Rachel McCrow, Constable Matthew Arnold and Alan Dare, who were shot dead.
He described them as three people "who embodied compassion, commitment and courage", and said the pain of the events would endure for some time to come.
"In this instance what has hit hardest across the country is the execution style and the complete disregard for the human beings these officers were," he said.
"The premeditated nature of the attack, the callous lack of heeding the pleas that would've, that would've echoed in between the gunshots.
"Mr Speaker I want to acknowledge the work of all of those to attended the scene … those included in the many police officers who'll be scarred from this experience."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese noted Mr Dutton's service as a police officer in Queensland saying that "every death in the line of duty strikes in the heart of all those who serve".
He told parliament the nation was mourning with the families of those who were killed, especially given the time of year.
"We know that for their families, this Christmas, there will be a place not taken," he said.
"An empty space of grief and loss that the years will never be able to fill."
The member for the area, Nationals leader David Littleproud — who also became emotional — described the crime as "one of the most vile acts".
"To those who are prepared to put their lives on the line for us, as a society we are better than that and we are," he said.
"While this is a stake to the heart of two small country towns it's not the end, in fact it's only solidified the strength, solidified our reverence for those who serve our community.
"Because once you become a country copper, you become part of the community."