Andrew Willcox (Dawson, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Sovereign Capability) Share this | Hansard source

We've heard a lot of sadness and sorrow today from all corners of this parliament. Today we all share similar sentiments, and we've come together to pay tribute to those who have lost their lives at the hands of terrorists at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025. I too wish to offer my condolences to the victims' families. The loss for those families is unimaginable. No words can undo the pain and grief those families have experienced, are feeling right now and will carry forever. I am terribly sorry for your loss.

I would further like to extend the condolences from my constituents of Dawson. Many people in my region have reached out to show their support, to send their love and well wishes, and to share their stories of reflection. My electorate of Dawson may be almost 2,000 kilometres away from Bondi, but the people of Dawson are standing with you in spirit, with many prayers being sent your way.

Fifteen innocent lives were lost at one of our country's most iconic locations. Bondi will now be forever synonymous with the worst terror attack on Australian soil. This hate filled rampage by two hate filled terrorists has devastated families, shattered communities and scarred a nation. It should never have happened. This occurred at a family event, a love filled celebration, a place where ordinary Australians felt they were safe and could never have anticipated that this would be a place of such horror. It was a place where kids ran around and played, had their faces painted and patted animals at a petting zoo. This religious event could have been any event in any community across Australia. I reflect and think about the many times I took my own kids to similar events. The one that sticks out to me most is our local carols by candlelight, where I would take my children each year. I'd watch them, with joy on their faces. They sang along with the Christmas carols and played with other kids. Many others have drawn connections with other events they've attended as a family.

In communities across Dawson and communities across Australia, parents shed tears when the news broke, and they still cried days later when images of Matilda were shown on the nightly news in their living rooms. For mums and dads this is raw. It is raw because they see in the beautiful eyes of Matilda an innocence and joy. They see their own children. Their hearts are aching for Matilda's mum, dad and little sister. No parent should ever have to imagine such loss, and no child's life should ever be taken away in this way.

I also want to give thanks to those who were the first responders and helped prevent further casualties. I thank you for your courage in that moment. Your bravery should never be forgotten. While, rightly so, much attention is given to the victims and their families, I also want to acknowledge the bystanders and those who bore witness. These people are also victims and will now have the horrific images burnt in their memories. These people escaped with their own lives, but many will be haunted by the events for years to come. Heading down to Bondi for a swim, a surf or even a coffee with friends may be hard to reconcile for the many who were there that day. Make no mistake. The Bondi attacks will forever be a very dark day in Australian history. We are a country changed and a country wondering if we, as a nation, can pick up the pieces.

Honouring the victims means more than words. It means resolve, vigilance and a shared determination to ensure our public places remain free and part of this great Australian country—part of joy, not fear. That is why, as we meet here today, returning to this place to mark our respects, we must honour all of those impacted by taking the right and strong actions needed to safeguard our communities and ensure Bondi is never repeated. We must remember the victims and their families—not only today, but forever.

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