Madonna Jarrett (Brisbane, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to share my deepest sorrow, and sincere condolences from the people of Brisbane, with the Jewish community. For 36 days now, beds have laid unoccupied. Dining chairs have sat empty. Favourite clothes have remained folded in drawers. Bath towels and toothbrushes have sat in their usual spots.

There are empty seats in cars. Tears flow. Hearts are heavy. Minds and bodies have changed forever, and futures are gone. This is the personal impact on the families and friends of the 15 innocent people killed in the horrific terrorist attack in Bondi on 14 December.

On that day, as we've heard, hundreds of Jewish Australians had gathered at that iconic spot. They came together to celebrate their faith and, specifically, the victory of light over darkness. But this celebration was cut short because of hatred and antisemitism. One group—two men—chose hate, deciding that Jewish people should not live a life with their faith and within their beautiful community. We continue to grieve with the Jewish community across Australia, and we acknowledge that the pain and grief are still raw and, frankly, unfathomable.

Following the attack, I visited the local synagogue and, along with others, I have attended vigils offering my support and condolences to the Jewish community in Brisbane. Having our community come together at this very sad time was important to start the healing and the recovery. To the families and friends of the 15 people whose lives were tragically taken away, and to the broader Jewish community, including in Brisbane, know that you are not alone. You are Australian, you are supported and we cannot let this atrocity not change us for the better.

Every Australian, no matter their race or religion, should be able to enjoy their life in any community without prejudice, discrimination or harm. No-one should live in fear. Let's be clear: the Bondi attack was an attack on our Jewish community. It was also an attack on Australian society. But this cowardly act does not represent the Australia I love nor what we should expect or want. Tolerance, understanding and unity must be at the heart of our community.

In my first speech in this House, I spoke about the community I grew up in, and how we were stronger and better because of the immigrants whose culture, values and benefits transformed our suburbs, and how we knew and helped our neighbours without question. We stood with each other. But, sadly, I also spoke about the segregation of First Nations people which, as a young person, I didn't understand. As I've gotten older, I've realised the whys. It was individuals who made an effort to communicate and understand each other. We cared. We embraced our differences. We were united. It was a lack of empathy and understanding towards traditional owners, fear and, in many cases, blatant racism that saw segregation. More and more, tolerance is giving way to indifference, fear and hate. These last two words are being realised through stronger antisemitic, antiracial and antidifferent expressions and actions, and, as the member for Macarthur said earlier today, it is anti civilisation. We have to stop the hate.

Before I conclude, I want to acknowledge and thank our first responders, the police, paramedics, doctors, nurses, surgeons and allied health workers as well as our surf lifesavers and so many more. It's also important to acknowledge those everyday people who put their lives on the line to save people, some of whom they didn't know. You are all heroes, and we can't thank you enough.

This evil reminds us, in the most painful ways, of the fragility of life and the deep impact of intolerance, hatred and violence on families, first responders and communities, including those far beyond the place where that evil occurred. I believe Australia is at its best when we choose unity, compassion and care for one another, when we choose to reject fear and hatred, and when we seek out ways to support our neighbours and our friends and those doing it tough. We can never undo what has happened, but together we can honour those affected by understanding that the act of two people sharing a faith doesn't define that faith, by addressing extremism in all its forms and by choosing empathy over division, and community over isolation.

Each of us can lead by example. To change where we are starts here in this House. We have a choice to accelerate or block the path to stamp out hate and facilitate social cohesion. My choice is empathy over division, and community over isolation. It's why I'm here. It's also how we honour the memories of those in the Jewish community and responders who lost their lives just 36 days ago. May their memories be a blessing.

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