Anika Wells (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Sport) Share this | Hansard source

():  I speak today to honour to lives of the 15 people who were, tragically, killed during the terror attack at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025. What happened at Bondi Beach was an act of evil. It was an attack against Jewish Australians, and it was an attack against Australian society. There is no place for this hate, this violence or this terrorism in our country. We will not stand for it, and we will do what is needed to protect Jewish Australians and in fact all Australians. As the Minister for Communications—responsible for Australia Post—it is with a heavy heart that I also speak in particular honour of Sofia, who was an Australia Post team member at the Bondi Junction post office, and her husband, Boris.

Sofia and Boris were married for 34 years. They were honest, hardworking and selfless people. Sofia was a much loved and highly respected member of the Australia Post team. For nine years, she served her community with professionalism, with kindness and with care. Sofia, her colleagues say, was someone who lifted those around her, who made her workplace a better place simply by being in it and who treated every single customer who came to her counter with kindness and with patience. To the customers of the Bondi Junction post office, Sofia was far more than a familiar face; she was someone who made everyday interactions feel human. People remember her gentle humour, her patience and the way that she took time to connect.

That deep sense of responsibility to others did not end when Sofia left work each day. It was the defining feature of her and her husband's lives and, tragically, ultimately, in their final moments. On Sunday 14 December, Sofia and Boris had every opportunity to step away and place themselves out of harm's reach. Instead, confronted with the danger, they chose to act. They moved towards the threat. They tried to protect the people around them, many of whom they didn't know. Those who knew Sofia and Boris best have said their response reflected the way that they lived, as people who instinctively helped, who took responsibility for their community and who placed the safety of others first. Sofia and Boris were laid to rest together, as they had lived, side by side. Their passing has left a profound absence not only for their family but for the community they served so faithfully.

This act of violence carried out against Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, a time meant for light, faith and celebration, was an attack not only on individuals but on the values that underpin our nation. It was an assault on the idea that people should be able to live openly, safely and proudly in their own identity. We cannot, and we will not, let any of these values be undermined by this despicable act.

Australians came together in the wake of this horrific attack to mourn, to grieve and also to thank the first responders who put their own lives on the line to help. There were so many heroes at Bondi during the deadly terrorist attack. This includes our surf lifesavers who ran towards danger to look after their fellow Australians, our emergency service workers and regular people who chose to put themselves in harm's way. As the Minister for Sport, I want to acknowledge in particular our surf lifesavers, who do an incredible job every day, and 14 December was no different. They stepped in to help like they always do for anyone in this country. They were people the who were at the heart of this incredible response to this terror attack, and they are the people who will now come together.

This is a time for unity because there is no place for antisemitism in Australia. Hatred and extremism must be confronted wherever they appear. As the Minister for Communications, I am committed to working with industry, with the eSafety Commissioner and with the Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism to prevent the spread of online hate by legislating a digital duty of care. It's no longer enough for social media giants and tech companies to treat online hate with a Whac-A-Mole mentality when it appears on their platforms. We know they have the capability to act, to detect and to prevent online hate, and we will make it their legal responsibility to do just that.

Jewish Australians have the right to feel safe, respected and valued, and to know their contribution to our nation is protected and recognised. Today we honour the lives defined by kindness, courage and humanity. May their memories be a blessing.

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