Lisa Chesters (Bendigo, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Like so many in this place, I rise to speak on the motion moved by the Prime Minister, a condolence motion for the victims of the Bondi antisemitic terror attack that occurred late last year in December. A text message that I received from somebody in my community reads:

Thank you for reaching out Lisa. I've been so distressed by the news.

My Sydney family is all safe thankfully but the community is reeling.

When we lit candles last night the girls were so happy and I could not find words to explain why I was suddenly so shocked and withdrawn.

Good to see gun law reforms being tackled immediately.

It's mind boggling that one of them had a license to possess long arm rifles.

I'm saddened but not surprised by the surge of anti-immigration rhetoric

I genuinely believe we are safest when all minorities are safe.

These are the words and the thoughts. Thank you, my friend, for sharing them at such a difficult time.

Far too many families all over Australia are struggling to share the words with their children about why they were suddenly shocked and withdrawn in what should be a very happy time in a family—sharing faith, sharing culture and sharing a connection to their religion, something we should all have the opportunity to celebrate freely and openly in this country. In the days that followed the attack, my good friend and Jewish leader, Howard Nathan, reached out and asked that we all remember our local Jewish community, small but mighty, in Kyneton, Castlemaine and the wider Bendigo electorate and the need to acknowledge the shock and despair that they were going through.

He was right; he is right. As their elected representative, like all elected representatives in this place, this motion is an opportunity today to acknowledge the deep pain, despair and heartbreak that this event has caused Jewish Australians. On Sunday 21 December, the national day of reflection, the Bendigo Interfaith Council organised an interfaith gathering at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion. It was to be in their peace park. The focus was on togetherness and mutual understanding. I prepared a statement for the event because I could not attend:

Today, the Bendigo interfaith community will be gathering at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion. The focus is togetherness and mutual understanding.

The devastating terrorist attack at Bondi Beach is shocking and distressing.

It was a targeted antisemitic attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of … a joyous celebration of faith.

It was an act of evil.

Our thoughts are with every person affected, in particular the loved ones of those who died and those injured.

We pay tribute to the bravery of those who responded, including police, paramedics and civilians.

An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian.

Together we all need to stand together against this hatred and division.

We need to be one another's light in this difficult time.

Leaders of community and faith groups across Australia have condemned this horrific violence and have called for Australians to stand together in solidarity at this time of trauma and grief.

Like many of us, I believe in Bendigo, and we stand together today to demonstrate hate will not divide us.

Compassion, respect and humanity unite us.

On that night, my children and I joined thousands of other Australians to light a candle, place it in our window and pause for a moment of reflection. My son, Charlie, had questions—some that I could not answer, so we asked a family friend that could. The next night he asked if we could light another candle, because that's what young children do to work things out and to understand. When Charlie returned to kinder, there were no guards. He got to run in happily, smile and thumbs up. That should be the experience of every child returning to kinder, and, until all children at schools and kinders have that opportunity, this place still has work to do. On behalf of the constituents of my electorate, I wish to say to those affected: you are not alone. We will get through this together by standing together.

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