Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak on the condolence motion in memory of those tragically killed at the massacre in Bondi on 14 December last year. To the families who lost their loved ones in the most tragic of circumstances on that terrible day and to the Australian Jewish community: I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences to you as you grieve. That such tragedy could come from what should have been a peaceful community gathering to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah is just so devastating. Children, families, husbands and wives, grandparents and Holocaust survivors—innocent and peaceful Australians—just being with each other and enjoying a Sunday afternoon by the beach were targeted for simply being Jewish. Never did I expect that such hatred and evil could come to our shores and that such a massacre could ever happen in Australia, but it did—an utter tragedy. It should have never happened, and we cannot ever let it happen again. This is on all of us in this place. We owe it to each of those who tragically lost their lives on 14 December and to their families, who now have to navigate life without them—never again.

I have watched in disbelief and disgust at how the Jewish community has been treated in this country since 7 October 2023. There is no place in this country for antisemitism, and it is a national disgrace how accepted it has become in some sections of the community. Stirring hatred and division in our communities must be stamped out, and it starts with us in this place.

Discourse in parliament and in both chambers should absolutely be robust. Debate and the contest of ideas must always flourish in this place. That is the point of a parliament. But how we do that, both inside and out of this building, matters. Some of the behaviour I have seen recently, especially in here, has been nothing short of disgraceful. We are privileged to represent our states and our communities in this place. People look to us for leadership. Our privilege, however, and our status as senators do not give us a right to sow division and hatred, some of which has come from overseas, into the debate, because, when people see us behave in a certain way in here or use certain language, it gives licence to others to do the same. When I was young, my mother said—and I remember it vividly—that, if you've got nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all. I don't know how others in this place were brought up, but it's clear that, to some in this place, that sage advice was not passed on. Persistent references by members of this Senate to slogans that are found to be offensive to the Jewish community must stop. As I said earlier, it starts with us.

As Dvir Abramovich, chair of the Anti-Defamation Commission, said last week:

You can stand for Palestinian rights without importing the language of past massacres. You can demand justice without invoking slogans that have already written their meaning in blood. Words have consequences. Especially after Bondi.

That is what we must all be conscious of. Words have meaning and, as Mr Abramovich says, words have consequences. I plead to others in this place and to all Australians: now is a time for national unity, for compassion, for understanding, for friendship and for us to reach out to the Australian Jewish community and let them know we stand with them.

In closing, I want to also acknowledge the heroes and everyday Australians who showed tremendous courage in the face of such terror. I extend that acknowledgement to Wayne and Jessica, who selflessly used their bodies as shields to protect children from flying bullets; to Ahmed al-Ahmed, the hero who wrestled the gun off one of the terrorists, undoubtedly saving countless lives; to Gefen Bitton and Reuven Morrison, who, in the face of terror, helped Ahmed and threw objects at the terrorist Ahmed disarmed to push him back and force him to retreat; to Boris and Sofia Gurman, who were also seen grappling with one of the terrorists before they were tragically murdered; to Chaya, only 14 years old, who was shot in the leg while shielding two young children from gunfire; and, finally, to the first responders—police, lifeguards, healthcare workers and everyday Australians who selflessly came to help, many of whom put themselves in danger in the process. It has been said by others today that in such tragedy we saw the best of many Australians. I'd like to pay my respects and give my thanks to everyone who responded as well as supported the families who lost loved ones in the days and weeks after the attack.

May the memories of all who were tragically taken on 14 December be a blessing.