Steph Hodgins-May (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

Like all of us in this chamber today, I rise with a heavy heart. The first night of Hanukkah was meant to be a time of light, reflection and joy. Instead, it has become one of the darkest days in our nation's history and a moment of profound national heartbreak.

We grieve for the 15 innocent people who were murdered at Bondi, for those who were injured and for all of their families, friends and communities affected by this tragedy. Seeing the footage affected us in ways that can't be described. It's sickening, heart-wrenching and tearful when you see a 10-year-old girl, someone's daughter, or someone's father and grandfather—brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, close friends—killed because of what they believed in.

I extend my deepest condolences to the Jewish community here in Australia and around the world who are reeling from the shock and pain of this devastating antisemitic attack. I grieve alongside the strong Jewish communities in my home state of Victoria. Among those killed were people who showed extraordinary courage in the face of terror, including Boris and Sofia Gurman, who resisted the armed gunmen. Their bravery must be remembered alongside the horror of that day.

This was an attack on Jewish people. It was an attack on all of us. It was an act of hatred intended to divide, to instil fear and to undermine our shared way of life—but it is not who we are. Who we are is seen in the first responders who ran towards danger. Who we are is reflected in those who intervened to stop the gunmen. Who we are is found in people of different faiths, backgrounds and beliefs who have come together in solidarity, care and compassion.

The specific targeting of people because of their faith, echoing the atrocity faced by our neighbours in Christchurch, was an act of terrorism aimed squarely at identity and belief. It's deeply disturbing that the terrorism we have seen overseas has occurred here, on our iconic beach, directed at Jewish people. As members of this parliament, we have a responsibility to confront hate and violence wherever it exists, and to make this country safer for everyone. We have a duty to protect Jewish people, just as we have a duty to protect people of the Islamic faith and people of all religions and beliefs. We also have a duty to protect others who experience violence, hatred and discrimination, including the LGBTQI+ communities, First Nations people and the disabled community.

Today, we honour the lives lost in one of Australia's worst terrorist attacks. It is a moment for parliament to stand united against antisemitism and against all forms of violent extremism. We must be unequivocal in our rejection of hatred and resolute in the values that make us strong—diversity, shared humanity and acceptance. I will now read a statement from Jewish advocates for understanding antisemitism, a group committed to confronting antisemitism in all its forms, while upholding universal principles of justice and human rights.

We are deeply shaken by the antisemitic Bondi attack and horrified that 15 people were murdered, and many others injured, while celebrating Chanukah.

We are also resolute that our anguish at Jews is not used to suppress criticism of governments and regimes, both here and overseas, or misrepresent Jewish identity, while real antisemitic threats are overlooked. The Jewish community in Australia is multi-faceted and many of us uphold freedom of speech, democracy and human rights as the pillars of our Jewish identity.

The atrocity at Bondi, the lives lost and the grief we are left with are painful reminders of the type of society that we reject. In our reaction, we must aspire to one that is grounded in our shared humanity and free of all forms of violence and extremism.

And so we urge the government to avoid knee-jerk responses, including laws that will stifle legitimate political critique in the name of 'combatting antisemitism'.

We urge the government to work to ensure that all marginalised people are protected from racism, including Jewish people from genuine antisemitism.

This goal requires long-term, well thought out responses based on evidence and wide consultation.

As I reflect on these words and on the unity shown in the chamber today, I'm reminded that moments like this must be more than symbolic. Our grief must be matched with care, our unity with responsibility and our condemnation of hate with action that is thoughtful, principled and inclusive.

If we stand together in moments of tragedy, we must also commit to working together before tragedy strikes, to protect communities at risk, to confront real antisemitism and racism wherever it appears and to do so without eroding the democratic freedoms and human rights that keep all Australians safe. That is how we'll honour those who were killed, that is how we'll ensure their lives were not lost in vain and that is the Australia we owe to one another.