Pat Conaghan (Cowper, National Party, Shadow Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

Today I rise with a heavy heart, alongside colleagues on all sides of this House, to acknowledge and mourn the lives lost in the tragic and senseless attack at Bondi. Like so many Australians, I was shaken to my core by the images and the stories that followed—stories of ordinary people enjoying an ordinary day in a place that symbolises freedom, community and joy. Bondi is one of our country's iconic locations. It is where families gather, where visitors are welcomed, where life is lived freely without fear. On 14 December, 2025, that freedom was shattered. As the sun dipped towards the horizon and families laughed together as the celebrations of Chanukah by the Sea commenced, a nightmare unfolded—a terrifying act of hatred that took 15 precious lives and wounded many more. That night should have been filled with candlelight and laughter. Instead, it became a moment of horror. That this place and this celebration became the scene of such evil and violence has left our nation grieving and deeply saddened.

Today, we remember those whose lives were taken. Each of them was more than a victim of an act of violence. They were loved, as parents, children, siblings, partners, friends, colleagues and community leaders. They had plans, dreams and futures that will never now be realised. To their families and loved ones I offer my deepest condolences. No words spoken in this chamber can ease your pain, but I hope you know that the grief you carry is shared by everyone in this place and by this nation.

We also acknowledge those who were injured, both physically and psychologically. The trauma of that day does not end when the headlines fade. Healing will take time, and it will require ongoing care, compassion and support. We must ensure that those affected are not forgotten once the immediate shock has passed.

In moments of darkness, it is easy to focus on the horror, but today it is also right and necessary that we recognise the extraordinary acts of bravery and humanity that emerged amid the chaos. We honour the bystanders who did not run away but instead ran towards danger—people who rendered first aid, who comforted strangers and who placed themselves in harm's way to protect others. Their courage reminds us that, even in the most frightening moments, decency and selflessness endure.

We pay tribute to our emergency responders: the police officers who confronted the threat with speed and professionalism; the paramedics who worked tirelessly under immense pressure; the doctors, nurses and hospital staff who fought to save lives; and the lifeguards and first responders who transformed a place of leisure into a place of urgent care. Their actions saved lives. Their service reflects the very best of Australia. These men and women do not seek recognition, but they deserve it. They showed calm in chaos, compassion in crisis and bravery when it mattered most. This attack has forced us to confront difficult questions about the safety of members of the Jewish community and about the safety of everyone in the community. Those discussions are necessary, and they must be undertaken with seriousness and care. But today, first and foremost, is about remembrance, respect and unity.

Violence seeks to divide us. It feeds on fear and isolation. Our response must be the opposite. We must respond by standing together, across the country, across communities, across faiths and across political differences, united in our rejection of hatred and our commitment to protecting one another and protecting our freedoms. Today we do more than mourn. Today we recommit ourselves to rejecting hatred in all its forms, to speaking against antisemitism, to standing united against violence and to demanding that safety and dignity be the right of every person in this nation. What happened in Bondi was more than an attack on innocent lives; it was an attack on our sense of safety and trust and on the very values we hold dear. But, even in that darkness, we choose light, we choose unity and we choose love.

May those who lost their lives rest in peace. May their families find strength in the love that surrounds them, and may we, as a nation, move forward with resolve, humanity and hope.

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