Bondi shooting victims honoured by Australians across the nation; Chabad Community’s theme revealed as ‘Light will win, a gathering of unity and remembrance’
NSW Premier Chris Minns said people must have the confidence to tell those who reject basic principles such as democracy, freedom, respect and equality that Australia is “not the country for you”.
In his speech on the National Day of Mourning at the Opera House on Thursday evening, Minns foreshadowed that “difficult conversations and difficult decisions” would be required in the coming months and years.
“We are unashamedly proud of those aspects of Australian life that are inherently part of our character and our country,” he said.
“Democracy, freedom, respect and equality, and if someone rejects these fundamental and non-negotiable aspects of our nation, have the confidence to say Australia is not the country for you.”
Minns said the Bondi terror attack showed a “hard truth” that this nation was not immune to “the kind of darkness that results when one family decides to maim and kill another family while practicing their religion.”
Minns said the Opera House was reclaimed by the Jewish community for its rightful purpose, just as it was after 15 people were killed during the Hanukkah celebration on Dec. 14.
“That’s what our Opera House is for – not as a place of hate – not racism and loudspeakers on the stairwells with flares and hateful symbols, but a place of peace and unity. Tonight we gather in our most important building to bring out the best of Australia,” he said.
