House debates

Wednesday, 21 March 2012

Statements by Members

France: Toulouse Tragedy

1:49 pm

Photo of Michael DanbyMichael Danby (Melbourne Ports, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I mourn the deaths in Toulouse, France of four innocent people—Rabbi Jonathan Sandler, his daughter Gabrielle Sandler, age 4, Arieh Sandler, age 5, and Miriam Monsonego, the daughter of the principal of the school in Toulouse. The tragedy of what has happened in France should be clear to all people. Three innocent children were gunned down, including the daughter of the principal, who was grabbed by the head by this monster and shot in the head as she reached the door of the school room.

This is one of the worst international incidents I have heard of. I hope the government of France is able to catch the criminal who apparently is responsible for the murder of three Muslim soldiers in the French army. This is an outrage. One of the witnesses said, 'Now, when I close my eyes, I can see their bodies on the ground in front of me.' Their mother has lost her husband and her two children and is alone now with a 10-month-old baby. Can you imagine what it is like for her? I am sure I send messages of condolence and grief from many people in this House to the bereaved families in France.