Tammy Tyrrell (Tasmania, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I personally offer my sincere condolences to the victims of the terrorist attack that targeted the Jewish community at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025. This was an awful event, one that should never have happened in our country. I acknowledge that Jewish Australians are hurting and have been hurting for some time. I wholeheartedly support this condolence motion and extend my deepest sympathies to the victims, to their families and to the broader Jewish community. We mourn with you and we stand with you.

As a nation it is fundamental that we come together united against hate in all of its forms. Australia is at its strongest when we stand together as equals, regardless of faith, background or belief. It is vital that people of all faiths come together to stamp out hatred in our communities. This is not a fight that Jewish people should have to face alone. It's a responsibility that belongs to all of us. Antisemitism has gone unchecked for far too long. We have seen it grow rapidly over recent years, and we cannot allow that trajectory to continue. We must be honest about this challenge, though. We must learn from it, and we must grow from it. That means taking fast but measured action, not actions driven by fear or anger but actions grounded in principle, justice and evidence to stamp out antisemitism and all other forms of hate.

At the same time, we cannot allow this awful attack to further divide us. Nor can we allow action against antisemitism to become misguided or misled hatred against others, including members of the Muslim community. Hate does not defeat hate. Division only weakens us. Yes, we need to look at stronger hate speech laws, and we need them enforced, but laws alone are not enough. People are not born racists. They are not born antisemitic. If we are serious about tackling hate, we must address it at a systemic level through education, through accountability of our leaders and through institutions that actively protect people of all races and faiths.

Changing attitudes is significantly harder than changing laws. It takes time, and it takes bipartisanship not just from the major parties but from the crossbench too. As a parliament, the task before us now is to come together. I recognise that I'm not a Jewish person, nor are many in this chamber. But as leaders and as representatives we have a duty to stand in the face of antisemitism and say clearly and unequivocally, 'Enough is enough.' To the Jewish community, we say this: you are seen, you are heard and you are not alone. We are united in the face of hate.