Last Wednesday, we paused to mark the third anniversary of the terrorist attack in Israel on 7 October 2023. With pain in our hearts, we reflected once more on the devastation that the terrorists of Hamas unleashed on that dark day, and we remembered the 1,200 lives that they robbed from the world. It was the largest loss of Jewish life on any single day since the Holocaust. We thought of everyone who was dragged into captivity, everyone who never returned home to their families and everyone forever scarred by what they endured. We thought of all who lost loved ones, all who suffered and all who entered that most agonising of vigils, struggling to bear the weight of hope as they waited for news of their loved ones held hostage. We continued to mourn Australian Galit Carbone. Our hearts remain with her family, who live each day with her absence. And we solemnly vowed—as we vow every day—to never forget what the terrorists perpetrated in all their cruelty. That they chose to target young people at a music festival that was promoting friends, love and infinite freedom sent the clear message to the world that Hamas stand in opposition to humanity.

Time marches on with an ease denied to the human heart. For so many, no day since has been easy, but anniversaries fall with their own terrible weight. And, for many others, what compounds the pain is the approach of the first anniversary of the antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach. These few years have been hard beyond measure, but Australia stands with the Jewish community here and across the world. We stand against antisemitism and racism in all its forms because it goes against who we are. We stand against the Islamic extremists of Hamas, which must disarm and can play no role in Palestine's future.

Australia continues to push for the implementation of the Gaza peace plan to end the conflict after such terrible suffering and loss of civilian life. The Australian government encourages and welcomes all genuine moves towards a just and lasting peace in the Middle East underpinned by the State of Israel and the State of Palestine living side by side within internationally recognised borders, in peace and security. Such a future would be the greatest victory of humanity over hatred. That is the future we must strive for together.

On 7 October 2023, Hamas terrorists invaded and attacked Israel. The terrorists from Gaza came not only equipped with guns and grenades; they also wore body cams and carried mobile phones to film their barbarous acts. They felt no guilt. They acted with glee. They weaponised rape. They tortured and mutilated children, women and men. They took some 250 people hostage. They brutally murdered some 1,200 people. October 7 was the greatest loss of Jewish life on a single day since the Holocaust, and it should not be forgotten that Hamas have vowed to repeat their savagery many times over until Israel is annihilated. On the third anniversary of Israel's 9/11, we remember those who were murdered, those who survived and are still living with the horrors of that day, those who endured the most unimaginable captivity and those families who are still grieving the loss of loved ones.

In October 2025, soon after the final hostages were released, I visited Israel. I went to the site of the Nova music festival where young people were massacred. I visited a kibbutz where families and communities were butchered. I watched the shocking footage of Hamas's sadistic crimes. I will never forget the images I saw. I spoke with the survivors and heroes.

That profound experience reinforced to me another thing we must do on every anniversary of October 7. We must remember the facts and fight for the truth. Because, even today, there are those who downplay, deny and even defend Hamas' atrocities. Even today, there are those who seek to portray the victim, Israel, as the villain and portray the villain, Hamas, as the victim. Even today, there are those who deceitfully accuse Israel of genocide and yet turn a blind eye to groups and regimes with real genocidal intent. Such perversions of the truth and lack of moral clarity help to fuel antisemitism and make it permissible. The fight against antisemitism is therefore a fight for the truth—a fight that continues on our soil too—and the fight for the truth is about acknowledging and combating all forms of antisemitism, especially Islamist extremism.

On behalf of the coalition, my prayers and abiding friendship are with the brave people of Israel and with our Jewish community, who are dear and valued Australians. Whether it's in Israel, in Australia or, most recently, thousands of feet in the air in a passenger jet, the Jewish people continue to be characterised by strength, stoicism and valour, and we, the coalition, are with you always.

As a mark of respect to those lives lost on October 7, I ask all those present to rise in their places.

Honourable members having stood in their places—

  I thank the House.