‘Cruelly stolen’ Bondi victims honoured in parliament
The prime minister read the names of the 15 slain Hanukkah revelers whose lives were “brutally stolen” in the nation’s worst terrorist attack.
After a minute’s silence, Anthony Albanese introduced a motion of condolence to the federal parliament for the victims of the 14 December Bondi massacre; 10-year-old Matilda was also on the list of the dead.
“The moment of silence that we have just observed resonates today with those 15 names, 15 innocent people, for what must have been an ordinary Monday morning for them,” he said when Parliament returned.
“Another day in this beautiful country they love, in the arms of the family and friends they adore.”
He also told the Jewish community that they were not alone in their pain.
“To everyone who traveled here today, and to those watching at home, we say Australia will be with you on the long road to recovery,” Mr Albanese said.
“Just as our nation came together a week after Bondi to light a candle for the darkness, we must continue to raise our voices against the silence.”
Mr Albanese acknowledged the “cruel and senseless” massacre was not accidental and said Australian Jews were the targets of two Islam-inspired father-son hitmen, Sajid and Naveed Akram.
The Prime Minister called on Australians to channel their anger into meaningful action to ensure a similar attack never happens again.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said Australian Jews warned of a “threatening storm” of antisemitism following the attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, but their warnings were ignored.
To confront and defeat the evil of antisemitism, he said, parliament must confront an uncomfortable truth.
“Radical Islamic extremism caused this. Again, radical Islamic extremism caused this. Leaders need to be able to articulate this, because if you can’t name the problem, you can’t defeat it,” Ms Ley said.
“For too long, too many people in our society, especially those in positions of authority, have failed to act decisively.”
Michaelia Cash, a leading Liberal Party figure in the Senate, choked back emotion as she read the names of all 15 victims.
“Behind each of these names there is a life, a broken family and a wounded society,” he said.
“Their loved ones will carry this loss forever, and a nation carries a responsibility with them.”
Independent MP Allegra Harcama, whose constituency the attack took place, said she left Bondi beach with her family just an hour before the horror began.
He told Parliament: “Sunday 14 December is one of the darkest days in modern Australia.”
“Australian Jews, a part of our community, were criminally targeted. This was an attack on them and an attack on our Australian values. Our country will never be the same, nor should it be.”
Ms Candler said everyone, including parliamentarians, needed to consider how they were contributing to social harmony and their responsibility not to incite further hatred in their reactions.
“The question is who we become now, how we honor and care for the memories of the 15 beautiful people we lost, the dozens who were physically injured, the countless people who will never forget the trauma and bloodshed of that day, and the families who will live with their scars forever.”
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