Michelle Landry (Capricornia, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to offer my deepest condolences following the horrific terror attack that occurred on the evening of 14 December at Bondi Beach, an attack that violated the nation's collective consciousness and will forever be seared into the soul of our nation. The night should have been a time of joy; it was the first night of Hanukkah, the festival of light. Jewish families gathered peacefully, as they have every year at this time for 30 years, on one of Australia's most iconic beaches to celebrate faith and community. No-one except the sinister, ISIS-inspired perpetrators knew what was about to unfold. Through our screens we witnessed the scale and brutality of radical Islamic extremism and ideology, incompatible with any civil society, one that left 15 people murdered. Innocent people shot down, targeted because of their faith. Bystanders ran for safety. Others tried to shield their loved ones as this nation and the world watched in disbelief. The murdered were people who believed Australia was safe. The murdered believed they could celebrate their faith openly. The murdered believe they had a tomorrow. I honour each of the 15 lives taken.

Remember Matilda Britven, just 10 years old, the youngest victim, a child celebrating Hanukkah innocently with two things every 10-year-old loves: cake and animals at a petting zoo. She was a little girl with her whole life ahead of her. Rabbi Eli Schlanger, aged 41, the Bondi rabbi. A husband to Chaya and a father of five, including a newborn son, and a pillar of the Jewish community, he had devoted his life to service, faith and kindness. Boris Tetleroyd loved Bondi Beach, loved Australia and loved his community, a devoted and loving father. Boris and Sofia Gurman were married for 34 years. Boris bravely confronted the attacker and disarmed him. He and Sofia died in each other's arms after the shooter deliberately targeted them. Reuven Morrison, 62, charged unarmed towards a gunman in a desperate attempt to defend others, an act of unimaginable bravery. Edith Brutman is remembered by her family as a woman of integrity and strength who met prejudice with principle and division with service. Marika Pogany, aged 82, devoted thousands of hours to delivering meals to others simply because caring was who she was. Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, a quiet servant of his community, was sharing prayer and connection when his life was taken. Peter Meagher, known as Marzo, a retired police detective who served the public for decades, was killed whilst pursuing his passion for photography. Tibor Weitzen, 78, a beloved grandfather, husband and cherished member of the Bondi Chabad and Russian Jewish communities, was killed while trying to shield a family friend. Dan Elkayam, a French national who made Australia his home, was a talented footballer and a joyful soul who was deeply loved by all who knew him. Adam Smyth, a husband and a father of four, was innocently walking with his wife along the beach, living life and loving his family. Tania Tretiak was attending in love and solidarity with her Jewish husband, reminding us that this attack struck not only Jews but all Australians and our shared values. And we remember Alexander Kleytman, aged 89, a Holocaust survivor who endured the worst antisemitism in history during World War II only to be murdered in Australia while shielding his wife, Larissa.

In the midst of the horror of the Bondi terror attack, ordinary Australians did extraordinary things. Civilians who were unarmed and unprotected stepped forward to help strangers to shield others and give aid. They refused to let fear win. Our police officers ran towards danger without hesitation. Their bravery and resolve prevented an even greater tragedy. But they were not alone. Our Bondi lifesavers' rapid response and selfless courage turned a scene of terror into one of hope. Trained to protect life in the water, their heroism was just as effective on land, as they worked to treat the injured, guide people to safety and restore order in moments where every second mattered. These men and women did not ask who someone was, where they came from or what they believed; they acted because lives were at stake. Their heroism reminds us that, while terrorism seeks to divide and terrorise, the Australian spirit responds with unity, courage and compassion. We thank them and we'll never forget their bravery.

Passing laws that fail to address the stain of antisemitism and Islamic terror is a betrayal of Australia and of those who lost their lives at Bondi. While 15 innocent lives were taken, their light can never be extinguished. Their lives will light the path to a better Australia.

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