Michelle Rowland (Greenway, Australian Labor Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

On 14 December Jewish Australians from across Sydney gathered at Bondi Beach to commemorate the first day of Hanukkah. What should have been a joyous celebration of the victory of light over darkness was instead forever tarnished by a targeted act of pure antisemitic evil. What occurred that day is an unfathomable tragedy that took the lives of 15 innocent Australians, including young Matilda, only 10 years old.

Let me be clear: there was nothing random about this act of violence. This was an act of terror by individuals with hate in their hearts and guns in their hands. I extend my deepest condolences to all who innocently lost their lives and to the families, loved ones and all those in our community who have been affected by this terrible devastation. We stand together in this place as Australians united in grief but also committed to ensuring that the atrocity that occurred in Bondi against our fellow Australians can never happen again. As a nation we must respond with strength, not partisanship. This is what Jewish Australians deserve and it is an outcome that I am focused on ensuring we deliver, because an attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on all Australians.

In the aftermath of the attack I had the solemn honour of standing beside Jewish Australians, fellow parliamentarians and the Governor-General at a commemoration organised by Jewish women's groups at Bondi Pavilion to pay respects and marks seven days since that terrible event. Together, we joined in remembrance of those who lost their lives, as a sign of collective unity and the need for action. It was the strongest reminder that at times of extreme hardship and tragedy we see the best of the Australian character. In the days and weeks following the attack, Australians from all walks of life have rallied to support victims, their families and the wider Bondi community. It has been nothing short of extraordinary. People placed flowers at Bondi Pavilion, checked in on their Jewish friends, supported local businesses and acted as shoulders to lean on when it mattered most.

As a representative of one of the country's fastest-growing and most diverse regions, I found it particularly heartening to see the display of solidarity and outpouring of support from so many different religious and cultural leaders in north-west Sydney and, I'm sure, right around Australia. It is this demonstration of strength and solidarity that we must also emulate across this parliament. We must work not only to respond to this awful event but also to foster a society in which this very hatred has no opportunity to grow.

In this place we represent every corner of our nation. We represent families who want to go about their lives in peace, and different communities that contribute so richly to our national fabric. We represent those who live in the best country on earth, a place where people should not be forced to live in fear because of who they are. As we bow our heads and say, 'Never again,' we must find ways to honour the victims and deliver for Australia not only with our words but also with our actions. May the memories of those lost live on, and may we find the strength and courage in this time of grief to do just that.

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