Hats off to egg thrower
This month the AFP is celebrating 100 years of federal policing, as the proud custodians to Australia's federal law enforcement heritage.
Australian Prime Minister Billy Hughes – 'The Little Digger' as he was more commonly known – had a reputation as a great World War 1 leader, even being carried through the streets of Sydney on his return from the Paris Peace Conference in 1919.
But earlier, a small and now infamous incident saw him at the centre of the creation of the modern day AFP – this year celebrating 100 years of policing.
On 29 November 1917, Prime Minister Hughes was in Warwick, Queensland campaigning hard for a National Plebiscite on conscription to bolster Australian troops and support the allies in the quest to quash the Central Powers during the war.
The Plebiscite – having already been defeated once before – was now crucial for Prime Minister Hughes. With Queensland key to gaining the 'yes' vote, he made his way to the sunshine state to plead his case. He clambered aboard a train bound for Warwick, just south of Toowoomba.
A poster urging a 'no' vote in the National Plebiscite on conscription.
Billy Hughes stepped off the train and onto his soapbox to address the masses as he arrived in Warwick. Local man Pat 'Paddy' Brosnan – an anti-conscription campaigner who was fearful he'd be sent to war – just so happened to be at the train station to see the Prime Minister.
Unluckily for the Prime Minister, Paddy had a plan to make it known what he thought of the Plebiscite.
Midway into the Prime Minister's passionate address, Paddy removed an egg from his pocket and hurled it at Mr Hughes - knocking his impressive top hat clean off his head.
Shocked and angered, The Prime Minister turned to a Queensland Police Sergeant, demanding the egg thrower be arrested. The Sergeant denied, simply stating "I deal only in Queensland law, this is a Commonwealth matter".
The incident spurred the Prime Minister to create a Commonwealth Police force that could investigate and prosecute crimes against the Commonwealth – and its officials. Over the ensuing 100 years a lot has changed.
In 1952 Paddy Brosnan reflected on the incident when Prime Minister Hughes died, saying he did it simply because he "didn't want to be conscripted" – and sent a telegram of condolence to the widow of Billy Hughes.
Titles and functions of the Commonwealth Police have changed several times over the years before the creation of the modern-day Australian Federal Police in 1979.
The increasing sophistication of criminal activity has always been a challenge for law enforcement. Today, transnational crime, cybercrime and terrorism has created new avenues of investigation. As always, the AFP works tirelessly to keep Australia, and Australians, safe.
Making a mark - Celebrating 100 years around the nation
AFP Deputy Commissioner Leanne Close takes a seat in the AFP's 1974 XB Falcon patrol car after the launch at the National Museum of Australia.
As part of the Centenary of Commonwealth Policing celebrations, the National Museum of Australia (NMA) is currently hosting one of the AFP's more iconic objects – a 1974 XB Falcon, ACT Police patrol car.
The vehicle is emblematic of the service that just one branch of federal policing has provided since 1927.
Speaking at a recent ceremony in Canberra, NMA Director Mathew Trinca said it was important that the NMA displayed the vehicle as a symbol of the 100th anniversary of federal policing and the event that brought about the first Commonwealth Police Force.
"The history of policing in Australia is important and has had an impact on all of Australia's history that is collected here at the NMA," he said.
Sharing the AFP's story, Deputy Commissioner Leanne Close recounted the events held in Warwick in November, including a re-enactment of the "egg throwing incident".
"So many of the local population in Warwick turned out for the dedication of the plaque commemorating the centenary that I feel that the AFP now has a special relationship with the town."
Egg-throwing in safe (Queensland) hands
She was referring to events held during November, when AFP Members stepped back in time with the people of Warwick in Southern Queensland to mark the Centenary of the 'Warwick Incident' and the establishment of federal policing in Australia in 1917.
A lively re-enactment of the attack on Prime Minister Billy Hughes by egg-throwing protesters was followed by a plaque unveiling in the forecourt of the railway station.
One thousand locals turned out for a full day's program, which included viewing the railway history exhibition, and the re-enactment of the incident on Warwick Railway Station.
A local Warwick actor plays 'Billy Hughes' in the re-enactment of the 1917 attack on the Prime Minister.
Southern Downs Mayor Tracy Dobie was first to the lectern, followed by Commissioner Andrew Colvin who provided an overview of the journey taken by federal policing since its introduction in late 1917.
"We take enormous pride in what we have achieved in our first 100 years and look forward to keeping Australians safe in our second century," he said.
Representing Prime Minister Turnbull, local member David Littleproud gave a stirring speech in support of federal policing in the development of law enforcement in Australia from the time of the egg-throwing incident.
He complemented the AFP on its remarkable service and the work done by members of the AFP since its formation in 1979.
Warwick local federal member David Littleproud unveiled the centenary plaque on behalf of the Prime Minister assisted during the ceremony by AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin and Warwick Mayor Tracey Dobie.
