Tony Sheldon (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

It's now 36 days since 15 Sydneysiders lost their lives and 40 others were injured while celebrating Hanukah with friends and family in an unspeakable act of antisemitic evil. When I attended Bondi Pavilion in the wake of the shooting, it was hard to process the evil that took place there—a place where I lived for a decade, and where I have spent countless time with my own friends and family. As the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies said: 'They were murdered as they sought to bring light to the world in their Hanukah celebrations. Every one of the victims is a father, a mother, a partner, a friend or a child to many others whose lives will also never be the same again.'

I want to say a few words in memory of these 15 extraordinary people. Boris and Sofia Gurman, who were about to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary, gave their lives fighting and attempting to disarm one of the terrorists. Edith Brutman is remembered as a woman of integrity who chose humanity every day. Boris Tetleroyd is remembered as a gentleman, a gifted musician and a valuable member of his community. He was loved by everyone he met. Dan Elkayam, just 27, is remembered for his love of football and his love of Judaism. Alex Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor, was shot while shielding his wife, Larissa, from danger. As his daughter Sabina said, he died doing what he loved most: 'Protecting my mother and standing up and being a proud Jew.' Rabbi Eli Schlanger is remembered for his love of his family and for his work with Corrective Services NSW. Rabbi Yaakov Levitan is remembered for his kindness, friendship, inclusion and warmth. Peter Meagher, a 35-year-old veteran of the NSW Police Force, is remembered for his love of rugby union and his volunteer work. Marika Pogany, a loving grandma, was known for her kindness and generosity and her decades of volunteer work with Meals on Wheels. Adam Smyth's love for Liverpool FC, the Sydney Swans and the Manly Sea Eagles was exceeded only by his love by his wife and four children. Tania Tretiak came to Israeli from Russia in 1992 and loved travelling and spending time with her family. Tibor Weitzen, a beloved member of the Sydney Jewish community, lost his life shielding his loved ones. Of course, Matilda, just 10 years old, is remembered by her school community as'genuinely the most caring and compassionate young girl who brightened everyone's day with a radiant smile and an infectious laugh'. And Reuven Morrison was captured in that stunning video giving his life to take on the terrorists and keep his community safe.

Now, while I didn't personally know those who lost their lives, we will remember them for the way they died—but not only for the way they died, for the stories of the way they lived and enriched the lives of everyone around them. In the actions of Reuven, Boris and Sofia Gurman, and the many others who risked their lives to save others, we saw the best of Australians, including from Ahmed al-Ahmed, a Muslim Syrian refugee from the shire, who risked his life to disarm one of the terrorists.

People of all faiths and backgrounds have come forward and said an attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on all Australians. The Australian National Imams Council said:

This is a moment for all Australians, including the Australian Muslim community, to stand together in unity, compassion, and solidarity, rejecting violence in all its forms and affirming our shared commitment to social harmony and the safety of all Australians.

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe said:

… this blind prejudice and hatred points to a dark and destructive stain in our society which threatens not just our Jewish brothers and sisters but, in fact, all of us.

The Hindu Council of Australia said:

This is not merely an attack on the Jewish community it is an assault on the freedom of faith, public safety and social harmony of our society.

What is clear is that we must do everything we can to ensure this sort of evil cannot happen here again.

I also want to thank and commend the first responders on the scene at Bondi—from the police who took the terrorists on to the paramedics and surf lifesavers who put their own safety at risk provide life-saving support. And I want to finish by saying this: Australia is made stronger thanks to the diverse range of communities that make up our society, and we'll always stand with the Jewish Australians against vile antisemitism. The work to protect and defend our precious multifaith, multicultural country is never done, and we must all play our part.