Matt O'Sullivan (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today alongside my colleagues, with a very heavy heart, to support this motion. I rise to remember the 15 innocent lives that were taken from us far too soon: Boris and Sofia Gurman; Rabbi Eli Schlanger; Edith Brutman; Boris Tetleroyd; Adam Smyth; Marika Pogany; Dan Elkayam; Peter Meagher; Tibor Weitzen; Reuven Morrison; Rabbi Yaakov Levitan; Alexander Kleytman; Tania Tretiak; and the beautiful Matilda. We mourn these lives lost, and we stand with every family whose world was shattered at the hands of hatred.

What unfolded at Bondi on 14 December was a terrorist attack, a hate fuelled attack driven by radical Islamic ideology. Families who had gathered to enjoy this special occasion of Hanukkah, children who had come to play and friends who had met to share an afternoon together suddenly found themselves confronted with unimaginable horror. And yet, as we reflect on this tragedy, we remember the meaning of Hanukkah—the festival that speaks of dedication and light prevailing over darkness. So, too, we must stand united against violence and hatred and safeguard the foundational beliefs on which Australia was built.

We also witnessed extraordinary courage of everyday Australians, civilians, police officers and first responders. They shielded strangers, aided the injured and ultimately neutralised the threats to prevent further loss of life. Their actions embodied the very best of our national character, courage, compassion and an unwavering commitment to protecting others. Bondi Beach is not just a stretch of sand; it's a symbolic location in Australian life. On that day, that tranquillity was snatched.

As we reflect on this tragedy, we must also confront the deeply troubling reality that has been growing in Australia, the unacceptable rise of antisemitism. Antisemitism has no place in Australia, and as political leaders we must be unequivocal. Antisemitism is an ancient hatred that must be confronted wherever it appears. It is a moral imperative. This is not a problem that will resolve itself. It requires national coordination, strong messages, moral clarity and, importantly, strong political leadership.

The Bondi Beach attack must be a turning point for Australia. We must ensure that no community, especially our Jewish community, in Australia feels abandoned or unprotected. We must reaffirm that every Australian, regardless of their faith, ethnicity or background, has the right to live without fear. As we honour the victims of this tragedy, we must also commit ourselves to building a safer, more cohesive nation. Our strength has always come from our unity. It is a nation where people come from every ethnic and cultural background and we recognise a shared identity and a shared future. Our anthem speaks of who we are joined together by a hope filled future. These aren't just lyrics; they speak to the heart of our nation. It is a nation strengthened by our unity, enriched by our diversity and spurred on by our shared commitment to its future.

Every Australian now has a role to play, and strong national leadership is essential to steer our nation back on course. That means educating our children on the beauty of our rich national history. It means supporting our police and bolstering our national security framework, it means confronting antisemitism and extremism in all its forms, and it means ensuring that the voices of vulnerable communities are heard, respected and acted upon.

There is a temptation in times like this to respond to such darkness with the same bitterness that it unleashes. But, as Romans chapter 12, verse 21 says:

Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

The good that our nation needs is the same good that we saw in response to the evil that we saw on 14 December—the good in Ahmed al-Ahmed, when he wrestled the gun from the armed terrorist; the good in Boris and Sofia Gurman, who also courageously attempted to do the same; the good in 14-year-old Chaya, who used her own body to shield two children from the attack; and the good that we have witnessed in the kindness and the strength shown by the Jewish and local Bondi community, who have redeemed that beautiful beach, attending in the days and the weeks after that terrible day. This is who we are as a nation—a nation of love and a nation of courage.

Today in this place we stand with the Jewish community. We condemn unequivocally antisemitism in all its forms, we honour the courage of those who responded, we acknowledge the grief of families whose lives will never be the same and we commit ourselves to ensuring that such a tragedy never happens again. We remember the 15 innocent lives lost. May their memory always be an incredible blessing.