Andrew Gee (Calare, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

The Jewish community and our country suffered devastating loss on 14 December last year. The heart and soul of the Australian nation is wounded and scarred as we continue to grieve over the senseless loss of life and violence. On behalf of the Calare electorate, I offer our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of these whose lives were taken in such a horrific way. I also offer sympathy, support, solidarity and love from our region to all those still recovering from their wounds and injuries.

While the perpetrators of this atrocity represent the worst in humanity, those brave first responders and bystanders who risked their lives to help the wounded, to save others or to disarm the gunmen surely represent the best—those such as Reuven Morrison, and husband and wife Boris and Sofia Gurman. They had all come to Australia seeking a better and safer life, and they died trying to stop other innocent people from being murdered. There was 14-year-old Chaya Dadon and mother of two Jessica Rosen, who both shielded young children from the bullets with their own bodies; and Ahmed al-Ahmed, whose heroic actions undoubtedly saved many lives and helped end the massacre. The bravery, compassion and sheer heroism of all of them gives us hope for the future.

The horror and violence of this attack sent shock waves through every corner of our nation. Alongside many in our region, I attended community vigils in Orange and Bathurst to remember those whose lives were taken or who were injured and to stand in solidarity with members of our local Jewish communities and those around Australia. At our Orange ceremony, Blair Blashki, who is a Jewish member of our community, was invited to say a few words. He said:

During my whole time I've been here, in the Orange community, I've never felt anything but accepted.

I've always felt that Orange is a very inclusive society, an inclusive town and a great place to live—and I'm very fortunate to be here.

The biggest thing I take away from this past week is that the idea of what occurred is to try and divide us and to try and bring division between people in the Australian community.

When I reflect on my life and reflect on experiences throughout my life, one of the overwhelming thoughts is that how, at all times, it doesn't matter your race, religion, colour or creed.

What makes Australia "Australia" is that we are here, all together, moving forward and being as one community.

We cannot let this type of event tear apart what has made Australia what we are today.

We are all here today showing solidarity with the rest of the Jewish community and pushing forward and trying to find some light through all of this, as well as staying strong and staying together as one community, and that's what's got us here today.

They were moving words of peace in the face of such horror and evil.

Members of the Jewish community in our area are extremely appreciative of the outpouring of support, compassion and solidarity shown across our region. They have also expressed to me that they want this to be a turning point in the way our country deals with antisemitism, because the cold, hard truth is that, instead of antisemitism being called out, a blind eye has often been turned to it. This has to change. The modern, prosperous and free Australia of 2026 cannot be a place where members of our Jewish communities are murdered in our streets, in our parks and at our beaches. It cannot be a place where it is acceptable that synagogues are firebombed; that childcare centres are burned; that members of the Jewish community are assaulted; that schools, homes and cars are vandalised or destroyed; that the offices of Jewish members of parliament are attacked; or that Jewish businesses are forced to close out of fear for the safety of their staff and customers. The Bondi shooting was an attack on all Australians and our way of life. Antisemitism must be confronted, and it must be defeated. The future of the Australia that we know and love depends on it.

These terrorists want us to give in to the hatred, to live in fear and to divide. But we are Australians, and we are doing what we always have done when our country has faced tragedy, trauma and challenge: we unite. As Blair Blashki implored, let us stay united. Let us not be torn apart by hate, but let Australia face this evil with the same clear-eyed, steely resolve that has vanquished other foes and other threats to our nation. And may we never forget those who had their lives cut so tragically short on that horrific December evening in 2025. I commend the motion to the House.

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