Renee Coffey (Griffith, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to add my condolences and the condolences from my community of Griffith for those murdered in the Bondi terror attack on 14 December 2025. It's very meaningful to me to be able to add my voice to those who have spoken before me—and, Mr Speaker, I would like to acknowledge how humbling it is to see that you have been sitting in that chair for almost seven hours now, showing your own deep respect for this debate.

As a parent of school-aged children, at times I have looked on at the security processes and protections at schools in other nations—security checks and armed guards—and thought, with deep gratitude: 'Thank God we don't have to do that here. Thank God that here, for my children, school is a place of learning, friendship and inherent safety.' But, for so many of our Jewish families here in Australia, I know that is not the case. Jewish schools, childcare centres, places of worship and, yes, even public celebrations are all forced to plan carefully, consider safety and assess risk in moments that should be defined only by joy, community and connection. This is a deep shame to me.

I am a person of faith, and not once have I ever felt afraid to be in my family's church of five generations. In a little over the last 12 months, I have gathered with our local Jewish community of Brisbane twice—once for the first anniversary of the October 7 attack, and again just weeks ago for the Bondi terror attack memorial. At both gatherings, I will admit, I was scared. I found myself scanning the crowds outside, looking at faces and at vehicles—a vigilance known all too well by our Jewish communities. And yet inside, past security checks, our Jewish community welcomed me with openness, reassurance and warmth, even as they carried their own grief.

The first time I witnessed antisemitism was on another Sunday afternoon in Sydney's Bondi many years ago. It was in the checkout queue, during the couple of years I lived in the eastern suburbs of Sydney for work. A woman slammed the divider down on the conveyor belt, almost catching an older woman's fingers behind her, and hissed 'expletive Jew'. It was sudden and ugly, and I couldn't process what I'd just seen before the woman paid, took her items and left. I've never forgotten how quickly antisemitism can appear in the middle of an everyday moment, and it can make even the most familiar places feel unsafe.

Our Jewish community should never have to live with fear simply for gathering, praying, celebrating and belonging in Australia, their home. As my friend and colleague the member for Macnamara said this morning, there will be a lot of work to be done. But today is about recognising those people who paid the ultimate price just for participating in Jewish life in Australia. In the days since the horrific, antisemitic terrorist shooting at Bondi Beach on 14 December, our country has been carrying a weight that is hard to put into words—a summer evening, a gathering to mark the beginning of Hanukkah, families together by the water, and then fear, violence and unbearable, permanent absence.

In Jewish tradition, as I understand it, there is a teaching from the Talmud that explains that every life is unique and that if one destroys one life, it is as though they have destroyed an entire world. And for the heroes of the day, our first responders and those brave people who ran towards the danger, if one saves one life, it is as though they have saved an entire world. That same teaching helps us name what this tragedy has done. Fifteen worlds were taken from us that day—worlds of relationships, memories, service, laughter, ordinary routines and future plans that can never be replaced. Beautiful Matilda, Rabbi Eli, Rabbi Yaakov, Boris and Sofia, Reuven, Edith, Marika, Peter, Tibor, Alexander, Dan, Adam, Boris and Tania.

To the families, friends and loved ones: I am so sorry for what has been taken from you. The trauma and loss that you face is beyond our comprehension. To all Jewish Australians, including those in Griffith: you should never have to wonder whether a gathering of faith and celebration is safe. You belong here. You are respected. You are valued and admired. We stand with you. An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian, and we will continue to do everything required to ensure your security, uphold your safety and protect and honour your place here with us as Australians.

In the wake of this vile act of violence and hate, we must unite. We must emerge from this tragedy in unity where all Australians embrace our fellow Australians of Jewish faith. We must move forward together to help repair and strengthen the fabric of our nation, united, to ensure we remain a place where light triumphs over darkness. We must ensure that the 15 people we honour today are always remembered. May their memories be a blessing.

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