Bondi Beach Terrorist Incident

Dr MARJORIE O'NEILL ( Coogee ) ( 22:58 :50 ): We gather with heavy hearts, not as members of different parties, regions or constituencies but as Australians, united in grief, in love and in resolve. We meet in the shadow of a horrific terrorist attack against the Jewish community on Bondi Beach on the first night of Hanukkah—an attack that claimed the lives of too many innocent people and wounded many more. It was an attack on the Jewish community, many of whom came to Australia after fleeing persecution in the former Soviet Union. It was an attack on all Australians—an attack on the values of peace, inclusion and community that define our nation.

History reminds us that what begins with the Jews very rarely ends there, so it is with profound respect that I acknowledge those whose lives were taken—lives lived with purpose, generosity and love. Among those impacted, we mourn Matilda, just 10 years old, whose joy lit up her school and family and whose life was taken far too soon. Rabbi Eli Schlanger was a devoted spiritual leader and chaplain who guided others with wisdom and compassion. Reuven Morrison was a beloved father and grandfather. His final moments reflected courage and love. Boris and Sofia Gurman were married for nearly 35 years. Their selflessness and devotion to their community cost them their lives.

Dan Elkayam, a young French national, is remembered for his warmth and connection to others. Alex Kleytman was a Holocaust survivor. His life was a testament to resilience, gratitude and remembrance. We also mourn Peter Meagher, known to many as Marzo—a former police detective, photographer and much‑loved figure in Randwick Rugby and Sydney's rugby community. After four decades of service to the police, Peter gave generously of his time photographing Jewish community events and building strong ties through the work of his wife, Virginia, at Kesser Torah College. Both Peter and Virginia shared a close connection with Rabbi Schlanger. His loss, like that of many others, is deeply felt. We mourn all those lost: grandparents, neighbours and friends. Each was a vital thread in the fabric of our community. May their memory be a blessing.

Let us be clear: The alleged perpetrators of this barbaric act do not represent Australia, our people or our values. Terrorism, driven by hatred, has no place in our society and must be condemned without hesitation or qualification. Yet in the days since this tragedy, we have seen who we truly are. We have seen volunteer surf lifesavers leave seasonal celebrations and run towards danger, with lifeguards crossing sand and concrete barefoot to provide life‑saving aid; Ahmed al-Ahmed, who disarmed the attacker, placing himself in harm's way to protect others; and the more than 40,000 Australians lining up to give blood, offering not just donations but solidarity. Those acts define our nation: courageous, generous and united.

We honour our first responders, who ran towards gunfire when others fled. They included New South Wales police officers, including Detective Senior Constable Cesar Barraza, whose actions helped end the threat, and Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert and Constable Scott Dyson, who were grievously injured in their service. We thank our paramedics, firefighters, health workers, lifesavers and volunteers, who responded without hesitation, holding our community together in its darkest hour. This tragedy has shattered families and shaken our sense of safety. It has also ignited compassion, interfaith solidarity and a collective resolve that hate will not define us. In the face of fear, love must lead. In the face of hatred, unity must prevail.

The people and groups that perpetrated these crimes seek to divide us, and we cannot allow them to do so. That is when they win. I call on the silent majority of Australians who believe in dignity, respect and peace to stand up. Stand with the Jewish community. Stand against antisemitism, against racism, against division, against violence and against hate. Speak up. It is not enough to leave it unsaid. This nebulous threat is real. Australia's strength lies not in the absence of tragedy but in how we respond to tragedy, how we heal together and how we build a future grounded in unity, humanity and hope.

Mr GURMESH SINGH ( Coffs Harbour ) ( 23:03 :40 ): When I was a younger bloke at uni, I lived and worked at Bondi Beach. In the early 2000s it was a peaceful and vibrant community. However, that peace and vibrancy was shattered a week ago. Families across the country and across the world were glued to their TVs and their social media, watching the horror play out in front of their eyes. We could not believe what we were seeing and that these scenes were actually coming from Australia. But, on reflection, we should not be surprised. At the official State memorial last week, Archbishop Reverend Anthony Fisher said:

For two years now, week after week, demonstrations have taken place here in Hyde Park, within earshot of the Great Synagogue, where inflammatory messages were articulated unchecked, slogans chanted that only turned up the temperature, messages delivered that made violence thinkable. This must stop!

The signs were there. Early last week we held an interfaith meeting with our local police. Young Jewish people on the Mid North Coast told harrowing stories of the antisemitism that they faced. I am a Sikh Australian. I have never sought to promote it, but I have never hidden from it either. It pained me that our Jewish community were hiding their identity. I read an extract from a letter I received today:

One high school student experienced repeated questioning and blame from peers, expected to answer for actions entirely beyond her control. She was told by peers that "her people are causing a genocide" and that they are "baby killers". She was repeatedly asked, "How could she support them?" and "Where are your morals?" In the classroom, a teacher promoted pro-Palestinian material and, on more than one occasion, compared Israel to Nazi Germany. The student and her family raised these issues with school leadership, but the outcome placed the burden on the student, with no consequences for the teacher. She was harassed for weeks and chastised for speaking out. A Jewish teacher at her school attempted to intervene, but nothing was done. To avoid further distress, the student withdrew from Advanced English. In the school bathroom, "Free Palestine" graffiti was mixed with swastikas, making the true sentiment behind these words unambiguous.

It breaks my heart that young people in Australia have to put up with the systemic antisemitism that we see in that extract. Like in the traditions of Hanukkah, and also much like the Indian tradition of Diwali, light overcomes dark. On Sunday night we were joined by many of our parliamentary colleagues and other dignitaries, and we joined 20,000 people at Bondi Beach to pay our respects to the victims of the worst terrorist attack in recent memory. We celebrated the heroes. We celebrated the first responders, the police officers, the lifesavers and the ordinary community members who went above and beyond to help their community and their fellow men. Our hope is that the darkness of the past week will lead to a new light, where we can all be proud of who we are and live in peace.

Dr HUGH McDERMOTT ( Prospect ) ( 23:07 :37 ): I hold in my hand a kippah from the holiest place in Judaism, the Western Wall. I was given it by a rabbi when I went there three years ago. I wear it in honour and remembrance of those who have been lost. This act of terrorism and hate on the first day of Hanukkah caused so much death, destroyed life and gave way to darkness. We know that evil exists, and it causes so much damage. My community in Western Sydney understands such evil, and many have migrated to Australia, like those in our Australian Jewish community, to rebuild their lives free from such hatred. Sadly, that hatred has followed, and we all now live in its demonic shadow. We have seen a steady rise in antisemitism in New South Wales.

In 1991, in the wake of the civil war in Lebanon and the Gulf War, the Bankstown Synagogue was firebombed and burnt to the ground, never to be rebuilt. In fact, there were five attacks on synagogues that year alone. The Parramatta Synagogue has also experienced increasing and heightened threats and needed to greatly increase its security and remove signage from the street view.

Over the past two years, the increasing hatred towards our Jewish community has been witnessed daily—the bombings; the graffiti; the vandalism; physical and verbal threats; regular demonstrations with participants flying Islamist flags from ISIS, Hamas, Hezbollah and Syrian militias and holding portraits of Iranian ayatollahs; the establishment of an Islamist political party in Australia for the first time; and hate speech directed at Jews every day. We have seen the open and blatant presence of Nazis on our streets, in front of this Parliament and in the media. These acts were the path that led to the massacre on 14 December. Sadly, this trajectory is not new. Those have been the steps that have always led to the murder of Jews in the Middle East, in Europe, in Russia and in the Americas—and now here in Australia. This is the first terrorist atrocity causing mass casualties and targeting a specific race or ethnicity since our Federation. It has changed Australia forever.

Over the past seven days, leaders from my multicultural migrant communities in the electorate of Prospect—Assyrian, Armenian, Maronite, Tamil, Coptic, Maltese, Equatorian African, Telugu, Greek and Palestinian Christians, as well as multigenerational Australians and many faith leaders—have all spoken directly to me and to Jewish leaders to express their support, love and sadness. I speak for them and myself when I say there can be no place for or tolerance of hatred and violence directed toward our Jewish brothers and sisters—nor towards any people—because of their faith, culture or identity. Such violence wounds not only those directly affected but also the very soul of our society.

My community and I say that we will continue to stand against antisemitism. We will embrace our Jewish community. To those in our Jewish community in New South Wales and throughout Australia who are now living in fear and questioning their place in Australia, I say this: You belong here. Your Australian community loves you, respects you and cares for you. We will rebuild your lives here with you. We are committed to making sure that the darkness that has been brought in these first days of Hanukkah is pushed aside and that the light comes back, so that our valued Jewish community, friends and neighbours will continue to live in harmony with us. I thank the House.

Mr MICHAEL REGAN ( Wakehurst ) ( 23:12 :26 ): It is with a broken heart that I rise to speak on behalf of the people of Wakehurst to express our collective shock and grief over the events at Bondi Beach on Sunday 14 December. I express our sincere and deep condolences to the families and loved ones of the 15 innocent people who were murdered in this senseless and abhorrent act of terrorism—men, women and, indeed, a young child who were simply enjoying a sunny Sunday afternoon at the beach, something the good people of Wakehurst can absolutely relate to. Those 15 people were gathering with friends and family to celebrate one of the most holy days in the Jewish calendar. The targeted attack on the first night of Hanukkah was a blatant act of antisemitism, and I stand with the Jewish community, and indeed with the broader Australian community, to state categorically that this evil will not be tolerated in any form.

I also send the best wishes of the Wakehurst community to those who lie in hospital still, some of them injured as they entered harm's way trying to stop the slaughter or to assist others around them. In particular, I express my respect and endless admiration for the two incredibly brave young police officers, Constable Scott Dyson and Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert, who faced the unimaginable that day. To Jack and his family, northern beaches locals want to express the community's unwavering support. We will be there for him every step of the way as he recovers from his injuries both seen and unseen.

I actually met Jack when he was part of the amazing Links to Learning program, a local educational pathway for students who do not quite fit with the traditional school system—something I can relate to. For Jack to not only complete his studies but to go on to sign up for the Police Force speaks volumes of not only the program but also Jack's values, his drive and his commitment to civic duty. Sam King, the CEO of the program, said to me the other day:

Michael, you've met him and known him as a result of him becoming a great young person through links to learning—and by his own admission he was an absolute ratbag, and I know he has told many people that the program helped him get his life on track.

Sam went on to say:

Fast forward to now and he has made lots of really amazing choices, all of which have been compassionate and giving and selfless. It's actually a shame that this Bondi incident had to occur for him to be recognised for the great young person he has become.

Jack and I both know Sam all too well and know how hard she is to impress, so that is high praise indeed. To Jack and, indeed, every officer who attended the scene that day—in fact, to every police officer who serves our community every day—I say thank you. I literally say, thank God for you. I also acknowledge the extraordinary paramedics, nurses, doctors, hospital staff and everyone who ran toward danger and worked tirelessly in the aftermath to save lives and care for the injured.

Let me be absolutely clear: We condemn antisemitism without hesitation, and we also reject any attempt to respond to this evil with racism or the blaming of entire communities. Let us not become the monster in order to defeat the monster. When I reflect on that Sunday evening, as the messages started coming through alerting us to what was happening, I recall feeling how the sense of horror was so strange and unfamiliar to us here in Australia. Indeed, as I hugged my wife in the kitchen that night, all she could say was, "This is not Australia". Indeed, that is not Australia. Hatred, violence and division is not Australia. The intention of the terrorists on that summer evening was blatantly clear: to target our Jewish community and divide the rest of us. I say to my fellow MPs that it is up to us, as leaders in this place, to unite and hold the line so that, while our hearts may be shattered, our sense of community cohesion will not break. Each of us represents a community made up of diverse races, cultures and religions, and that attack on one community was an attack on all of our communities.

I am not an overly religious person, and I will not pretend to be, but one thing I have learnt over the years is that the major faiths of Judaism, Islam and Christianity can trace their origins to the same source—Father Abraham. At this time of division and confusion, we should focus on what unites us and the values that bring us together, not the hate that seeks to drive us apart. In the past week I have learnt a lot about the Jewish faith, particularly the traditions of Hanukkah, a festival of light to symbolise freedom, faith and hope. Again, I am struck by the similar symbolism of light found in other religions. Right now, in Christian households across Australia and the world, advent wreaths are lit each week in reference to the birth of Christ as the light of the world. During the Islamic celebration of Ramadan, we see the symbolic use of the Fanous lantern, a hanging lamp symbolising spiritual enlightenment, hope and guidance. The Festival of Diwali, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains around the world, symbolises the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.

All of those traditions focus on spiritual renewal, prosperity, good deeds and new beginnings. Surely all of those traits are much needed now. They say that the darkest hour is right before the dawn, and there is no doubt that this is our nation's darkest hour, certainly in my lifetime. Let us not wait for the light; let us be the light. Let each of us bring light into the darkness and be the goodness, kindness and compassion. Let each of us be a moral beacon against darkness and bring light and warmth to all around us. Although our hearts are broken, they are broken open. With those open hearts, let us go forward and renew our commitment to a better, more caring and safer world for all.

Ms JENNY AITCHISON ( Maitland—Minister for Regional Transport, and Minister for Roads) (23:17:52): Around this State, around the nation and around the world, people are experiencing shock, sadness and grief at the death of 15 beautiful people and the injuries to many more on Sunday 14 December. What started as the celebration of Hanukkah, the festival of light, ended in darkness, fear, terror and then shock as we were left trying to comprehend what happened. There is no comprehending evil; it just is. There is no excuse nor explanation that can bring those much-loved people from our community back, heal the wounds and take away the trauma. There is just the promise from all of us to do better and ensure it never happens again.

As I said in this place earlier today, Bondi has changed us forever as a nation. For all Australians, but for Jewish people particularly, this attack has made us feel a little less safe and made us hesitate a little or second‑guess our actions and conversations in our daily lives. While the people targeted were Jewish Australians, we all bear the wounds. They are us. There are people all over the State and the world who have been impacted by what happened at Bondi.

People come to Australia for many reasons—for work, for education, for love, to reunite with family or to escape fear, persecution and terror. At times it is easy to see only the different pathways we take to get here. Essentially, we or our ancestors all came here with one purpose: to start a new life. The basis of that new life and the thing that binds all of us—whether we are First Australians, whether we came here yesterday or whether our families came here many generations ago—is hope. There is hope that life here will be worth it, that the trauma of saying goodbye to everything those people knew or the daily struggle to raise a family, do their job or volunteer in their community will be worth it. We hope that we can do that without fear or oppression.

It would be easy to lose hope after Bondi, to stop trying and to pull the blanket up over our heads and feel powerless to be the change we all want to see. But that act of terror, at one of the holiest times for Jewish people, gives us the answer in its horror. While Bondi has changed us, it has also revealed, in the clearest possible way, who we are as Australians. When we are tested, we run towards one another to help, to provide cover and shelter, to disarm, to donate blood and to save lives. We do not run away. Bondi shows us that we must light the world with hope. That was what last night on Bondi Beach was about. After Bondi, things can never be the same, but we can and must choose hope and light to survive, to heal and to learn from tragedy. In the dark days ahead for the victims and their families, when there is nothing else, just being, surviving and getting through will sometimes be the best expression of hope.

I spoke earlier today about one of the victims, Mr Boris Tetleroyd, who was a gifted musician, a husband, a father and—among what I am sure are many attributes—an engineer with Transport for NSW. I expand on that to illustrate my point about hope. An engineer builds. They problem-solve and make things stronger and safer for people whom they may never meet. Hope is in every project they build and in every problem they fix. It was in Boris, and it will light the way for his family and the many other families who are struggling to recover and to make sense of the horror. I send love, light and healing to Boris's son, Yakov, who remains in hospital after being seriously injured last Sunday; Yakov's mother; Boris's wife, Svetlana; and their entire family. We are here for them. They are not alone in the loss of their beloved husband and father. We will not look away. Finally, I echo the wise words of our Premier, which have guided so many of us through the darkness in recent days, particularly today. He said:

I want to say this clearly and sincerely. We are deeply sorry.

We grieve with you and with humility, [we] acknowledge that the government's highest duty is to protect its citizens, and we did not do that one week ago.

That reality weighs on [us] heavily. We must accept that responsibility and use it to do everything and anything we possibly can to stop it from happening again.

I send my condolences, my love, my strength and, most importantly, my deepest hope to every single person in this State who has been hurt by these events. To the Jewish people in Maitland, across New South Wales and across Australia, I wrap you in my arms and commit to do all I can to ensure that it never happens again.

Ms FELICITY WILSON ( North Shore ) ( 23:03 :06 ): Tonight we gather in this place with heavy hearts, united by grief, shock and sorrow at one of the darkest days we have experienced as Australians. A picture perfect summer afternoon in one of our most iconic and vibrant communities was shattered by violence, hatred and fear. We mourn those who were taken and stand with those who remain injured, traumatised and trying to make sense of the unimaginable. Bondi is more than just an iconic place in Sydney; it is a symbol of who we are as Australians—diverse, open, free and connected. While the Jewish community was targeted by those terrorists, the entire Australian community has also been attacked.

On the first night of Hannukah, a Jewish celebration of light overcoming darkness, those wishing to simply express and celebrate their faith were ruthlessly and viciously shot down in cold blood. Among the innocent taken from us were friends, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters and, most tragically, 10‑year-old Matilda, the very definition of innocence. Among those taken were Boris and Sofia Gurman, who bravely encountered the gunmen in the early stages of the attack; Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who had served as a rabbi for 18 years and was head of the Chabad mission in Bondi, leaving behind his wife and young children, as well as a devastated community; Edith Brutman, who was a loved member of the Sydney Jewish community; Adam Smyth, who was a husband and father of four enjoying an evening walk on Bondi Beach when the shooting began; and Boris Tetleroyd, a musician who was at Chanukah by the Sea with his son when he was tragically killed.

Marika Pogany, who emigrated from Czechoslovakia and embraced our Aussie life, was a volunteer who delivered kosher meals on wheels. She also played bridge, and I got to meet one of her former bridge competitors in Bondi just last week. Ten-year-old Matilda, who was at Chanukah by the Sea with her family when she was tragically shot, was known as Little Bee to her father. I have never seen so many bee balloons as I have in the past few days. As we all know, she was celebrated last night when the community took back Bondi Beach, with her father and mother dancing beautifully to Waltzing Matilda. Peter Meagher, who served in the NSW Police Force for 34 years and retired as a detective sergeant, was working at Chanukah by the Sea on the night as a freelance photographer, one of his passions. Dan Elkayam, who was beginning to build his future in Australia after moving from France, was at Bondi Beach with his friends for the lighting of the Hanukkah candles when he was shot in the back while trying to flee.

Reuven Morrison, who bravely confronted one of the gunmen with a brick, sacrificed his life to protect loved ones. Tibor Weitzen, who was a father, a grandfather and a great grandfather, died shielding his loved ones. Alexander Kleytman, who survived the Holocaust as a child and moved from Ukraine to Australia after the war, spent his last moments protecting Larissa, his wife of 57 years, from those bullets. Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, who served as secretary of the Sydney Beth Din, was deeply involved in Chabad operations across Sydney. Tania Tretiak was also a loved member of our Sydney community. May their memories be a blessing.

I am encouraged that together we will get there. I know this because our communities across Sydney, New South Wales and Australia have responded, including my own community in North Shore. Outside the Cremorne Synagogue, just a block away from my office, members of my local community have quietly and respectfully left flowers, handwritten notes and messages of kindness. They reflect a community clearly saying, without hesitation, "You are not alone. You are valued, and you belong." Our local Jewish community is an integral part of our North Shore community, and I have always stood shoulder to shoulder with them since I was elected, particularly in the past two years since October 7. I acknowledge Rabbi Mendel Slavin and Rebbetzin Chaya, whom I stood with at Shabbat on Friday and at the memorial at Bondi Beach, as well as president Jonathan Hamberger. They are a part of us, and they should always be able to show who they are, freely and safely. I stand with our local Jewish community, and I will continue to do so on behalf of the entire North Shore community.

Combating antisemitism requires more than words of condemnation after tragedy strikes. It requires sustained, collective and courageous action. In the face of darkness, we have also witnessed extraordinary light. We have seen the courage that reminds us of the very best of Australian mateship. Ordinary members of the public—people who never expected to be called upon—stepped forward in moments of chaos and danger. After hearing the gunshots and the screaming of innocents, they ran towards that danger. They helped the injured shield strangers with their bodies, guided others to safety and refused to turn away when it mattered most, even when it meant laying down their own lives. The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels now.

We owe an immense debt of gratitude to all our emergency service personnel and first responders. Our police officers, paramedics, lifeguards and volunteer lifesavers witnessed trauma most of us can scarcely comprehend, yet they acted with determination. We particularly owe a debt of gratitude to Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert and Constable Scott Dyson, whom we all pray for as they are recovering after being injured putting their lives on the line. The healing will take time. Trauma does not disappear when those headlines fade. We must ensure that victims and their families are supported in the weeks, months and years ahead. As we heal, we must also reaffirm who we choose to be. We choose unity over division, courage over fear and love over hate. We choose to protect the freedoms that define our society, while standing firm against those who seek to undermine them through violence and intimidation. We must make the changes needed to stamp out antisemitism and the violence and terror that it escalates to. Only together as Australians will we overcome this tragedy, and only together as one community will we ensure that this never happens again.

Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG ( Macquarie Fields—Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, Minister for Building, and Minister for Corrections) (23:29:12): I thank the House for this opportunity to speak. I commend the Premier for moving this very important motion and I commend all my colleagues who have spoken, or will speak, on it. On a beautiful, warm Sunday evening, Sydney's Jewish community met at our beloved Bondi Beach to celebrate Hannukah, representing the triumph of light over darkness, of freedom over oppression. What should have been a time to mark one of the most significant days for people of the Jewish faith became one of the darkest days in Australian history, with 15 innocent lives lost and their families shattered, 41 people taken to hospital, some with critical injuries, and hundreds more permanently scarred. They were simply doing something that Australians of all faiths, cultures and backgrounds like to do—spending an afternoon at the beach.

Among those who lost their lives was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a community leader who had helped organise that Sunday's event. I pay special tribute to Rabbi Schlanger tonight for his dedication to helping Jewish inmates across New South Wales prisons. Rabbi Schlanger started working as a chaplain with Corrective Services on 1 July 2022. He was the first and only rabbi involved in the chaplaincy program and he was highly regarded by both the Corrective Services workforce and the inmates he served. He travelled to every corner of this State to support, mentor and counsel Jewish inmates. His dedication to seeing the best in people and helping them to live a better life was extremely admirable. Rabbi Schlanger's wife gave birth to their fifth child just two months ago. I cannot imagine the deep pain his family is going through, having lost a father and a husband. He, and the vast impact of his work on our community, will certainly not be forgotten. I extend my deepest condolences to the rabbi's family and to the broader Jewish community. I am keeping them in my thoughts at this extremely difficult time.

I also acknowledge the other victims who were killed or injured in the Bondi attack, as well as their loved ones who have been deeply affected by this awful tragedy. I recognise the first responders and everyday heroes who raced into the danger and gave immediate comfort to those in need. There has never been a more important time to care for each other and to reject any sign of hatred, racism or antisemitism in every facet of our society. There is nothing more Australian than people from all walks of life, all faiths, gathering together peacefully at one of our most beautiful beaches on a hot summer afternoon. What happened on Sunday 14 December was an attack on the Jewish community and also on our Australian way of life.

I hope that together we can foster communities where people feel safe to live and to practise and celebrate their faith freely. That is what Australia is about—people of all faiths, from all backgrounds, regardless of how long they have lived here, being able to live freely and to practise their faith every day in every single way. Hope is a light we must refuse to extinguish. It reflects our freedom and our democracy, and our care for others as Australians.

Mr ANTHONY ROBERTS ( Lane Cove ) ( 23:33 :03 ): I speak on this motion with a heavy heart. But first, Mr Speaker, on behalf of all members of this House, I acknowledge the great work that you have done for this Parliament, particularly through the difficult time that we are facing at the moment. On behalf of my community, I speak from a place of grief and solidarity to honour the innocent lives taken in the recent terrorist attack in Bondi—lives stolen in an act of hatred so cruel, so calculated and so inhuman that it has shaken our State, our nation and the world to the core. To the families who have lost loved ones, there are no words that can ease your pain. Hatred has spread across Sydney and across our State in plain sight.

The community of Bondi, the people of Sydney, the people of New South Wales, the people of the Commonwealth of Australia and the people of the world are grieving. But we are also asking hard questions that this Parliament can no longer avoid. The attack has exposed deep structural frailties in our State. It has shown how fragile social cohesion can be when hatred is left unchecked. The Opposition warned that it was a tinderbox waiting to ignite. Legislation was discussed. Opposition bills were introduced, on which I spoke. They were ignored and voted down. Those votes and warnings were not heeded, and that failure weighs heavily today.

This is not a political point. The responsibility does not end at Macquarie Street. The failure of the Albanese Government to act decisively on rising antisemitism has also left many Australians deeply disillusioned. That failure will be remembered for a very long time. Today and this week are about mourning. But mourning must not become complacency, and condolence must not become silence. Honouring the dead requires action for the living. I assure everyone in New South Wales that their safety, dignity and future here matters. We owe it to the victims, their families and the soul of this State. May the memories of those lost be a blessing upon us all. May their names be honoured through action. May this Parliament finally meet the moment that history has placed before it.

Mr JIHAD DIB ( Bankstown—Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, Minister for Emergency Services, and Minister for Youth Justice) (23:36:44): The events of Sunday 14 December almost defy comprehension. Innocent people being killed and wounded is always hard to fathom. Fifteen people being killed at a holy ceremony, a time of joy and hope, is beyond belief. I cannot even begin to understand the pain that the Jewish people feel or what their community is going through. Those events are born out of the most ancient hatred our shared humanity knows. In a corner of every place in every time lies the lurking threat of antisemitism, racial and religious hatred. That unforgivable burden feels all the heavier after the act of terrorism in Bondi, but they need not carry that weight alone.

I express my and my community's heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the people who were killed or wounded. I express my condolences to the wider community, particularly the Jewish community, in this time of profound grief. We all shed a tear for Matilda, a 10-year-old girl whose stolen innocence sits heavily on the national conscience. Seeing her grieving mother and father at last night's memorial service absolutely tore at everyone's heart, but our collective horror and grief demand more than condolences. After participating in a webinar on human rights, I said in Parliament:

When we see the normalisation of hatred … anti-Semitism … it is our responsibility to do something. We must commit to taking strategic action alongside each other to eradicate this scourge …

Like many others, I have spent a lifetime speaking out against hate, celebrating our diversity and making sure that we all have a role to play in this beautiful nation of ours. In the days that follow, check in on Jewish friends and colleagues, stand with the community at memorials and vigils, and take a moment to help someone in need. Our commitment to stand alongside each other cannot be just for today; it must be for every day. Because of who I am and who I represent, my words carry added meaning. I have always tried to be a bridge that builds cohesion and social harmony. I see a fellow human before I see their creed, colour or faith. I urge others to do the same and to judge people by who they are, not what they are. There has been much conjecture about the background, associations and motivations of the two alleged shooters. It is important that these matters are fully investigated by the police and our security agencies. But let me also be clear that anyone or any group that carries responsibility for the atrocity in Bondi and that seeks to associate with Muslims does not reflect the Islamic faith.

The ultimate victory of terrorism is division within a society. In recent days, I have been disturbed by reports of desecration of a Muslim cemetery, people refusing the services of Uber drivers or, worse still, women in hijabs being attacked, threatened and vilified. These actions only reinforce a cycle of hate. Australia is the greatest multicultural success story in the history of the world—a story in which we are all required to play a positive part. We are a success because of Syrian refugees like Ahmed al‑Ahmed whose bravery saved lives—a man who acted with humanity to the fore; a man who embodied the Koranic verse that says saving a life is like saving all of humanity.

We are a success because of the way that first responders rushed to protect our Jewish community and have worked with them in the days since to commence the long and painful task of healing. We are a success because people like our surf lifesavers rushed to help others in any way they could. We are a success because every day we hear new stories of everyday people doing extraordinary things on the day. They were motivated by one thing that should motivate all of us—to help any fellow human being in their time of need. Condolence motions are the most difficult because the words we say are never enough and there are no words that could ease this pain.

I cannot imagine the grief felt within the Jewish community. I cannot imagine what my Jewish friends are going through. All I can do is offer my love, my friendship and my commitment to stamp out hatred. Last night Rabbi Ulman spoke of kindness and compassion as acts for all of us. In every way possible, let us use this moment as the inspiration to be kinder, more respectable, more compassionate and more understanding of one another. Let us be inspired by the actions of our lifesavers, our first responders and the many unsung heroes—those who ran towards danger to deal with trauma that none of us can imagine.

Let us be upstanding in times of need. Let this summer be a summer of calm and a summer of healing. Let us remember the role we all need to play in building a better, stronger and more unified society. Let us also keep in our prayers the families and communities who are experiencing the worst of grief in these holy days. Let us commit to stamping out hate and racism in all their forms. Let us choose who we want to be. Let us choose love over hate. Let us choose unity over division and, most of all, let us be the light that illuminates in these times of darkness.

Mr MARK COURE ( Oatley ) ( 23:41 :38 ): I contribute to debate on the motion to offer my sincere condolences to the victims of this horrific attack, to their families, to their friends, and to all those who are grieving—not just in our State and country, but right across the world. I thank members who spoke before me and who offered their condolences. I stand with them and with our community during this incredibly difficult time. The pain felt across our communities is immense. We are all mourning, particularly our Jewish communities, who were so brutally targeted by this act of terror. Many people in our community remain shocked and are quite rightly angry about what occurred that evening.

What should have been a peaceful celebration to acknowledge the first night of Hanukkah was shattered by the act of hatred and violent antisemitism. To attack families, parents, young children, grandparents and religious leaders at a joyous community festival is truly an act of evil. That this attack occurred at such a holy time for the Jewish community underscores the targeted and antisemitic nature of this terrorist act. Let us be absolutely clear: In a multicultural and multifaith society like ours, an attack on one community is an attack on all of us and the values that we hold dear. Australians everywhere have the right to practise their faith freely in absolute peace. We must never waver in defending that right. It is incumbent upon all of us to stand against those who seek to harm our communities, to spread fear and to divide us.

The hatred and extreme antisemitism demonstrated by those terrorists must be stamped out. Hate and racism cannot be allowed to fester in our society any longer. For too long, our Jewish community has been sounding the alarm about the rapid increase in antisemitic behaviour and rhetoric. Since 7 October, global conflict has fuelled heightened tensions in New South Wales and across Australia from rising hostility in public discourse, the politicisation of historical grievances, antisemitic firebombing, graffiti and intimidation, to neo‑Nazis protesting outside this very Parliament. These hateful views have gone unchallenged for far too long.

The fracturing of our social cohesion is deeply dangerous for a country like Australia. I still believe we are the most successful multicultural society anywhere in the world because reasonable and rational Australians understand and value the extraordinary contributions that migrants have made to our national success. But that success is not automatic. It requires constant care, effort and commitment over generations to commit to respect, understanding and acceptance. We cannot allow our society to become polarised. The attack in Bondi underscores the need to take a firm stand against all forms of hate, particularly antisemitism, now more than ever. As I said before, an attack on one community is an attack on all communities. It strikes not only at people but also at the very principles that underpin our multicultural and multi-faith society.

Australians still believe in those values. Even in the darkest moments, ordinary Australians repeatedly show extraordinary courage in defending one another and our way of life. We have all seen the footage of brave Australians putting their own lives at risk to save others. Last week, I had the honour of meeting one of those heroes at St George Hospital, Ahmed al‑Ahmed, whose name is now known to Australians across the country and the world. His heroic actions to disarm one of the terrorists has inspired millions and represents the very best of modern Australia. He was not alone. Boris and Sofia Gurman were among the first to confront the danger. They charged one of the terrorists without hesitation or regard for their own safety. In doing so, they paid the ultimate price. I also pay tribute to Reuven Morrison, who was tragically murdered while trying to protect his community. He charged a terrorist alone, unarmed and unafraid.

Many Australians acted with remarkable bravery throughout this harrowing attack. I acknowledge the countless stories of strangers shielding others, helping one another and putting themselves in harm's way. When danger strikes, Australians stand together. I note on record my community's deep appreciation for the NSW Police Force. As chaos unfolded, brave officers ran towards danger to evacuate civilians and neutralise the threat. My heart and best wishes go out to Constable Scott Dyson and Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert, who were seriously injured while responding to this terrorist attack. I also recognise the bravery of all of the first responders who assisted on that evening, including the paramedics who saved lives and the surf lifesavers who ran into danger to assist their fellow citizens.

On behalf of the people of the Oatley electorate, I extend my deepest condolences to the 15 innocent victims and their families. These victims were deeply cherished members of the community, from religious leaders and rabbis to refugees, migrants, soccer players, children and dedicated volunteers. I also pay special mention to Matilda, who was an innocent 10-year-old child enjoying a sunny Sunday. These names will be forever remembered, and their loss will be felt for generations to come.

Mr JASON LI ( Strathfield ) ( 23:47 :03 ): There are moments in our national life that change us. They break something open and demand not just a response but also a reckoning. Bondi was one of those moments. It was a massacre in a place of joy during a celebration of light that targeted people gathering in faith and community. It was horrifying. It is heartbreaking that it was also not surprising for many in our Jewish community. Perhaps the hardest truth of all is that this did not come from nowhere. To pretend otherwise would be an abdication of our duty as leaders, neighbours and Australians. We cannot undo what has happened, but we can choose how we respond. We must make this moment a line in the sand, not only for gun reform or stronger counterterrorism, which is urgently needed, but also for something deeper. It is a moment where we say this is not who we are, and it is not who we are willing to become.

What happened at Bondi was not just an act of terror; it was an attack on the idea that we can live together in difference, dignity and peace, which is the very idea of Australia itself. I believe the path forward involves three pillars of social repair: truth, trust and togetherness. Firstly, on truth, we cannot repair what we are not willing to name. That means naming antisemitism clearly and unequivocally, not as an occasional incident but as a rising force that must be confronted wherever it takes root. It also means naming other dangers, including the rise in Islamophobia that often follows in the wake of terror, the lazy scapegoating of migrants in multicultural communities and the conspiracy theories that spread before facts are even known. The truth is uncomfortable, but it is necessary.

The second pillar is trust. We are living in a time of deep distrust in governments, in media and in each other. In that space fear grows, extremism finds oxygen and division becomes easy. To rebuild trust we have to act, not just talk. That means taking strong action as a government and as legislators. It means funding community‑led responses to hate and it means listening—really listening—to the communities who have carried these fears for years. It means investing in community-led responses to hate. It means showing up visibly and genuinely for those who feel most at risk. Trust comes from care made visible.

The third pillar is togetherness. This is our greatest challenge. Multiculturalism is not a policy document; it is something we live every day. It means choosing to care across oceans of difference. It means protecting each other from not just violence, but also fear, suspicion and erasure. It means we must not let our views of foreign governments or their actions turn into hatred against fellow Australians who share that heritage. No Australian should feel unsafe because they are Jewish. No Australian should be targeted because they are Muslim. No‑one should carry the blame for a government that they do not represent. This is not about silencing protest. It is about protecting people. We can hold outrage and moral clarity without letting them curdle into hate.

Jewish Australians have a long history in Strathfield. The Strathfield Synagogue, officially the Strathfield and District Hebrew Congregation, began in the 1930s as a post-World War II migrant hub, evolving from a home into a dedicated synagogue built in 1959, which became a spiritual and educational centre for decades and included a commemorative wall listing victims of the Holocaust. We need national campaigns. But more than that, we need shared spaces, shared rituals and shared community. We need our young people to lead us forward. The question is no longer "What happened?" It is "Who will we become?" Will we allow grief to be twisted into blame? Will we let division harden into hate? Or can we choose a path of radical, resilient togetherness? I hope and I believe we can.

Let us never forget the victims of 14 December; their lives stolen in a moment of senseless violence, and the families left to carry that grief. Let us never forget the anguish felt across the Jewish community. And let us honour the extraordinary courage of first responders, and of everyday Australians who ran toward danger to comfort the wounded, to shield the terrified and to save lives at great risk to their own. In the days, months and years ahead, let's find the strength to hold our neighbours, our values and our fragile, beautiful nation together.

Ms ROBYN PRESTON ( Hawkesbury ) ( 11:52 :07 ): This House meets today with a heavy heart. On 14 December 2025 a place synonymous with joy, freedom and the Australian way of life became the site of an act of unspeakable violence. Bondi Beach, a place of gathering, recreation and community, was transformed in moments by a terrorist attack that took 15 innocent lives and shattered countless others. The victims were loved deeply and they mattered profoundly to those closest to them. Their deaths are not statistics; they are personal, permanent losses that will be felt forever by families, friends and communities.

On behalf of this House, I extend our deepest condolences to all who are grieving. No words can ease such pain, but we mourn with you and we stand with you. During the weekend I, like many others, felt compelled to travel to Bondi to lay flowers and to show my respects to those who had their innocent lives stolen, or for others injured or traumatised by the terror that had swiftly consumed this beautiful, iconic location. I was moved by the number of tributes that lay before me. There were people from many different backgrounds and ethnicities who stood there contemplating, consoling others and feeling quite overwhelmed and troubled.

What many witnessed at Bondi was not a random act of violence. It was an act driven by antisemitism, by a hatred that has no place in our society, our communities and our future. Antisemitism is one of the oldest and most destructive forms of hatred. It dehumanises, it divides and, when left unchecked, it leads to violence. We have seen throughout history where this hatred leads. This attack is a tragic reminder that antisemitism is not confined to the past. It is a present and urgent threat.

To the Jewish community in New South Wales and across Australia, this House hears your fear, your grief and your anger. You should be able to live, worship and gather openly and safely, without intimidation or hatred. An attack motivated by antisemitism is not an attack on one community alone; it is an attack on the values of tolerance, freedom and mutual respect that define our State and our nation. We must be clear and unequivocal that antisemitism in any form, whether spoken, written, implied or acted upon, must be confronted and eradicated. Silence enables hatred; excuses embolden it. This Parliament has a responsibility to call it out and reject it, and ensure that Jewish Australians are supported, protected and never made to feel alone.

In the midst of the horror, we also witnessed extraordinary courage. Members of the public placed themselves in danger to help others, and first responders ran towards chaos with professionalism and compassion. New South Wales police, NSW Ambulance, Fire and Rescue NSW and hospital staff acted swiftly and selflessly, saving lives and providing comfort in the darkest of circumstances. This House records its deep gratitude for their service. I especially acknowledge North Bondi RSL Chair Josh Farquhar, who invited me in my capacity as shadow mental health Minister to attend a coordinators meeting with agencies such as Lifeline, the Salvation Army, the NSW Reconstruction Authority—formerly Resilience NSW—and the Red Cross. I heard firsthand the challenges they faced and the support and resources they have made available to those struggling in the wake of this terrible experience.

I also acknowledge the survivors: those who were injured, those who witnessed unimaginable violence and those who now carry lasting trauma. Recovery will not be quick or easy. Ongoing care and support must remain a priority. As members of this House, we honour those who were lost by committing ourselves to vigilance and truth, and to standing firmly against antisemitism wherever it appears. We must ensure that our public spaces remain safe and that our society remains one where diversity is respected and protected. Today we grieve. We condemn hatred without reservation and affirm our solidarity with the Jewish community and all Australians who believe in peace, dignity and humanity. May the 15 innocent lives lost at Bondi Beach rest in peace. May their memory be a blessing to all of us.

Mr DAVID HARRI S ( Wyong—Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, Minister for Gaming and Racing, Minister for Veterans, Minister for Medical Research, and Minister for the Central Coast) (23:57:20): I offer my deepest condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi. This act of senseless violence shocked our State and devastated a close-knit community. Innocent lives were taken, many others were injured, and countless people—witnesses, first responders and families—were left traumatised by what unfolded. In the immediate aftermath of the attack, amid chaos and fear, lives were saved through the swift triage and care of victims at the scene. The rapid response of emergency services, supported by members of the public who rendered assistance under extraordinary circumstances, ensured that the injured received urgent care when every moment mattered. Their actions reflect courage, professionalism and humanity in the face of terror.

As the community moved from immediate response to recovery, that same compassion and coordination continued. Last Friday, I joined Minister Saffin to meet with representatives from the North Bondi RSL Club and the North Bondi RSL Sub-Branch, alongside the NSW Reconstruction Authority, Lifeline, NSW Health, the Salvation Army, the Smith Family and other local volunteer groups. That meeting highlighted the vital role these organisations are playing in supporting recovery, providing practical assistance, mental health support, outreach services and coordination for those affected. It was a clear demonstration of how community institutions, government agencies and volunteers work together to ensure no-one is left without help in the aftermath of tragedy. I place on the record the significant contribution of the North Bondi RSL Club and sub-branch in the days following this attack. The sub-branch provided dignity, leadership and remembrance at a time of profound grief, honouring the victims and supporting a shaken community in a manner deeply consistent with the values of the RSL movement.

The North Bondi RSL Club became a place of refuge and solidarity. By opening its doors and offering space for reflection, connection and support, the club ensured that people affected by this tragedy were not left to grieve alone. RSLs were born from the aftermath of conflict and understand the devastating cost of violence and extremism. Josh Farquhar, president of the North Bondi RSL sub-branch, noted that, while it is not something they welcome, veterans are used to and are experienced in trauma. They used their knowledge and their experience to support the injured as they came into the RSL whilst the event was still unfolding.

The response of North Bondi RSL carried such meaning because it was grounded in service, compassion and an unwavering commitment to peace. I thank the veterans, volunteers, staff and members of North Bondi RSL and sub-branch, along with all recovery and support organisations, for their calm strength and generosity during one of the most difficult moments this community has ever faced. On behalf of this House and my community, I honour the victims. We acknowledge those who worked tirelessly to save lives and support recovery, and we stand with their families. As a State and a nation, we reaffirm our shared commitment to unity, compassion and peace. Lest we forget.

Ms MONICA TUDEHOPE ( Epping ) ( 00:01 :24 ): In the past couple of days, I have probably spent too much time online, reading thousands of words that have been written about the attack at Bondi Beach. One piece that particularly struck me was a reflection on the very unique nature of Australian beaches, written by Louise Perry. In the piece, she reflected on the changing history of the Australian beach—that what we have today has not always been the case but is a reflection of the unique nature of Australian values and society. In modern times, the Australian beach is a place where anyone can go, where people can wear what they want without fear of harassment and where lifeguards are trusted to keep public order and safety, despite having no weapons and no actual powers of law enforcement. Many generations of Australians have come to appreciate and enjoy the natural beauty and awesome power of the Australian beach. A public place where people of all faiths and backgrounds can get together to enjoy the surf, have a barbeque and watch children play in the sand, it is hard not to think that this vision of Australia has been shattered.

I find it difficult that, as politicians, we get to move condolence motions in times like these. I would much rather hear from ordinary Jewish people, from the families of victims and from first responders. But I make this contribution on behalf of the people of my electorate with humility, respect and a deep sense of responsibility. It is an occasion to offer sympathies to the lives lost, an opportunity to mark the acts of heroism and a moment to thank and acknowledge our emergency workers, from the lifesavers to the police, nurses and doctors. It is also a moment to record and confront the truth: This was an act of antisemitism—an act of Jewish hatred. To not do so would mean that we do not properly honour the lives that were lost. We should acknowledge the acts of bravery that transcended the hate and extremism. We can and must acknowledge the lifesavers, the police officers, the paramedics and the nurses and doctors. But if we are asked to come together, then we must also reflect on what divides us.

Our national identify and safety changed at Bondi Beach on that Sunday. Like many I have spoken to, the emotions associated with the events of last Sunday seemed to move more quickly than they might otherwise have because of the national and international spotlight that was immediately shone on one of our most famous beaches. It was almost as if we were asking people not to be angry but to move straight to forgiveness and healing so that we could all feel more comfortable with what had happened. This is why people felt rightly cynical when our leaders attempted to make this incident about gun reform, the ultimate political play. If it worked for John Howard, then we could just dust it off, buy back some guns and the legacy would be secured. We can go back to enjoying our prawns and pavlovas and not have to deal with these uncomfortable conversations about antisemitism.

But that ignores what the incident at Bondi Beach was really about. It was about the hatred of Jewish people. On that Sunday it was Jewish people gathering together to mark one of their religious festivals that was so unbearable to the gunmen that they needed to be killed. There has been an absolute vacuum of leadership on this issue since 9 October, when crowds were able to gather on the steps of the Opera House—not crowds of Jewish people; they were told to stay away. Since then, we have seen protests after protest where people were able to carry signs of radical Islamic extremism without consequence. We have seen sermons of hate, firebombings of synagogues and acts of vandalism. Each act of hatred against a Jewish person—big and small—has created an environment of intense antisemitism.

For over two years the warnings of Jewish people were not heeded, including by this Government. I wish we did not have to be here having to debate a condolence motion. I wish that we did not have to lose the Australian beach to being a place that is no longer safe, particularly for Jewish people. I hope that we can come together. I hope that we can rise above what has happened and emerge a stronger nation. I give the names of the 15 victims so that their names can be recorded in perpetuity and it is their lives that are remembered: Boris Tetleroyd, Boris Gurman, Sofia Gurman, Reuven Morrison, Edith Brutman, Marika Pogany, Dan Elkayam, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, Peter Meagher, Alex Kleytman, Tibor Weitzen, Adam Smyth, Tania Tretiak and young Matilda. On behalf of the people of Epping, I offer my condolences to their families, the Jewish community and also the broader Bondi community.

Mr PAUL SCULLY ( Wollongong—Minister for Planning and Public Spaces) (00:06:30): I join with other members of this place in expressing my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the 15 people whose lives were stolen in a senseless attack on 14 December, and to the Jewish community more broadly. This was an act of unspeakable hatred that has caused hurt to so many people, but an act of two alleged terrorists behaving in a way incompatible with the religion they claim to be part of. Last night, as people gathered at Bondi at a memorial for the victims, people gathered also gathered in Wollongong to light the last candle at the end of Hanukkah. Civic leaders, faith leaders, leaders of multicultural groups, New South Wales police and members of the public gathered to show their support for the Jewish community but also to clearly and publicly state that they will not let antisemitism and hate win.

Hanukkah is about light winning the day over darkness. As Rabbi Aron explained, each lighting of the candle on the menorah adds light, removing more of the darkness. The battle of light over darkness is familiar in the teachings of many religions. It is recognition that light must overcome darkness because it is in the shadows that evil thrives. It is in the shadows that those who hate lurk. It is in the shadows that those who seek to do harm to others plan their terrible acts. For all of us who live in the community that we want to live in, light must continue to defeat darkness. For organising last night's event, I acknowledge Yoke Berry, someone who I have had dealings with over many years, who is suffering with grief like so many others in the Jewish community. I also acknowledge the efforts of Chris Lacey, CEO of the Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra, who over the past couple of years has done an incredible amount of work and shown incredible leadership to bring communities together and to maintain social cohesion in challenging times.

Over the past week, I have had the opportunity to speak with many of the community about the events of 14 December. Understandably, people are struggling to comprehend what happened and the motivations of the alleged perpetrators. But it is recognised that eight days ago, when we saw the worst in some, we also saw the best in others. I acknowledge and thank the volunteer surf lifesavers, the professional lifeguards, the police, paramedics and other first responders who sprung to action. I acknowledge and thank the bravery of those who confronted the alleged gunman to stop them. I acknowledge and thank the men and women who protected children from gunfire. I thank and acknowledge the thousands of people who have engaged in quiet acts of charity for their efforts to rebuild goodwill in our community.

Even in the midst of enormous grief, those selfless acts showed courage, commitment and caring for others that should be celebrated. The events of 14 December were an act of extremism. The extremists targeted a group of people singled out for nothing more than gathering to practise their faith. Everyone who gathers to celebrate deserves to know that they can do so knowing they will be safe. The hatred on display cannot be allowed to fester. In the same way that the candles on the menorah add light to darkness, we as parliamentarians must take steps to stop hate taking a further foothold in the shadows. While we will continue to work to stamp out antisemitism and hate, laws alone cannot fix a situation when people are willing to flout them.

Strengthening laws around hate speech and symbols to address extremism must be matched with better public debates and discussions. Each of us has a role to play when we see extremism starting to take root in our homes, our places of worship, community organisations or workplaces. Each of us has a responsibility to speak up when people engage in hate speech, no matter who it is directed to. Each of us has a responsibility to help shine more light on the darker corners of our community and our society. This would be a true public service to the State and a true testament to those who have lost their lives.

Last week, when I attended Bondi Pavilion with the Federal member for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes, to lay a floral tribute to those who had lost their lives and those who had been at Archer Park on the day, we were struck by the outpouring of grief across the community and the willingness of people to stand by the Jewish community at this time of immense grief. The acts on 14 December were designed to create fear, not only in the moment but on an ongoing basis. As we work through the ongoing response, I re-commit myself to doing all that I can to stamp out antisemitism and hate, no matter where or how it manifests. The Government and this place will work through the ongoing response. But I can say to the Jewish community that you are part of what makes Australia what it is, and you have helped build it into what it is today. You should feel safe living here.

The actions of the alleged gunmen on 14 December showed us the worst of humanity. But the response of those people who protected others, who confronted the gunmen and who rushed into danger to help others showed us the best of humanity. There were two representations on that day of the worst of humanity, but there were many representations of the very best of humanity. As we remember 14 December in the days, weeks, months and years ahead, let us mourn the loss of innocent lives. But let us also remember the acts of courage and selflessness that reflect our shared Australian values; they are the true demonstration of who we are as a nation. On behalf of the people of Wollongong, I extend my deepest condolences to the friends and families of the 15 people who lost their lives on 14 December. Know that Australians are repulsed by the events that caused the grief that you are suffering.

Mr ADAM CROUCH ( Terrigal ) ( 00 :11 :32 ): On behalf of the people of the Central Coast, and in particular the Terrigal electorate, I speak in the strongest possible terms about the recent attack at Bondi, an attack that targeted members of our Jewish community and tragically resulted in the loss of innocent lives. The attack occurred during a peaceful gathering on the first night of Hanukkah, a time of reflection, remembrance and celebration. People had come together to enjoy a Sunday afternoon with family and friends in a place where they should have felt safe. That sense of safety was violently and cruelly taken from them. Our community on the coast was horrified and appalled by this barbarous and cowardly act, an act deliberately directed at innocent people because of who they are. It was confronting, it was sickening, and it sent shockwaves far beyond Bondi itself.

The attack could just as easily have taken place at Terrigal, Dee Why or Manly beaches. It was not simply an attack on one location; it was an attack on our freedoms, our shared values and our Australian way of life. Our community stands united in its condemnation. We reject this violence unequivocally. If the aim of this act was to scare or intimidate our community, it has failed. Instead, it has had the opposite effect. It has strengthened our resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Jewish community and to speak out against this appalling extremism, wherever it appears. Over the weekend I had the privilege to attend the Hanukkah celebration in Gosford and I was deeply honoured to be asked to address the gathering by Rabbi Yossi Rodal. In the wake of such hatred, it was a deeply moving and powerful evening, one defined not by fear, but by light, unity and healing.

Families came together peacefully and proudly to celebrate their faith and culture, supported by a wider community standing with them. Hanukkah reminds us that, even in the darkest times, light can prevail. The courage and dignity shown by the Jewish community at that event speaks volumes. It was not only an act of faith, but an act of quiet defiance against hatred and a powerful demonstration of resilience and hope. There is no place—none whatsoever—for antisemitism, racial hatred or bigotry of any kind in our nation. Australia is built on respect, tolerance and the rule of law. Anyone who promotes hatred and rejects those values has no claim to the Australian spirit. Let me say this plainly: If you are not an Australian citizen and you cannot accept those principles, you are welcome to leave immediately. As Australians, we are a nation built on multiculturalism, on embracing others, not fearing them.

I have attended hundreds of citizenship ceremonies in my time as a member of Parliament, representing the extraordinary Terrigal electorate and welcoming new Australians from Albania to Zimbabwe. At each ceremony, new citizens stand and recite words that go to the heart of who we are. They say:

From this time forward,

I pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people,

whose democratic beliefs I share,

whose rights and liberties I respect, and

whose laws I will uphold and obey.

Those words are not symbolic. They are a promise—of unity, mutual respect and shared responsibility. The people of the Central Coast stand united. We stand with our Jewish community. We stand against hatred and extremism in all its forms, and we stand firmly for the freedoms, diversity and decency that define Australia. This attack will not divide us. It will strengthen our resolve. My thoughts are with all those affected, including members of the Jewish community, the families and friends of the victims, and those who acted to protect others during the attack, including members of the public who intervened at great personal risk.

I extend my sincere thanks to our incredible police officers, paramedics, health workers, surf lifesavers and volunteers whose swift and courageous response saved lives. I was so proud to join with our Jewish community at Gosford. I say a special thank you to the extremely wonderful team from the Brisbane Water Police District who turned out en masse to show their support, along with our local fire and rescue units. They stood shoulder to shoulder with our Jewish community on the Central Coast. It was so lovely to see our Jewish community thanking those police officers for being at the event and making them feel cared for, respected, honoured and looked after.

Our Jewish community has suffered a huge blow, but they are resilient and we stand with them, side by side, no matter what. After that barbaric act of antisemitic, extreme hatred played out in the worst possible way in Bondi, I was pleased to stand with Jewish community members at Gosford. It was nice to see people from other faiths, along with the incredible men and women of the Brisbane Water Police District and the rest of the wider Central Coast standing side by side with our Jewish community and saying, "We've got your backs. We will keep you safe." As I said before to our Jewish community, we stand with you.

According to resolution, members provided the following statement for incorporation in Hansard .

Ms TRISH DOYLE ( Blue Mountains )—With a heavy heart I express my deepest condolences to the Jewish community following the recent terrorist attack that targeted innocent Australians who were simply celebrating their faith and enjoying our nation's most famous beach. This senseless act of violence, which saw 15 innocent people killed and so many injured, has shaken us all.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to the NSW Police Force, NSW Ambulance, the Surf Lifeguards, NSW Hospital staff, and other emergency services who acted swiftly and selflessly, and to the many brave bystanders who showed extraordinary courage and compassion in the face of danger and trauma.

To the families, friends, and community of those innocent victims, I extend my heartfelt love. I am sorry for your loss. May you find comfort and peace in the support of those around you, as you grieve and heal.

To the Jewish community, in Sydney, in the Blue Mountains, across NSW and Australia, I send you my deepest sympathy. You are not alone. We stand with you against hatred and violence, and we recommit ourselves to unity, respect, and care for one another in this most difficult time, and beyond.

Mr GREG WARREN ( Campbelltown )—Today we rise in deep sorrow and solemn reflection as we acknowledge the horrific antisemitic terrorist attack that took place at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025. What should have been a peaceful and joyous Hanukkah celebration was shattered when two gunmen opened fire on families, children, and community members gathered in one of Sydney's most iconic public spaces. Sixteen innocent people lost their lives, including a 10-year-old child, and dozens more were injured in what has now been recognised as Australia's deadliest antisemitic attack and one of the most devastating acts of terror in our nation's history.

This horrific act was an act of two individuals who took it upon themselves to commit This evil on our good, friendly, caring and compassionate society that we enjoy as Australians.

I extend my deepest condolences to the families who are grieving unimaginable loss, to the survivors whose lives have been forever altered, and to the broader Jewish community across Sydney and Australia who are now navigating profound trauma and fear.

In the days that followed, thousands gathered at Bondi Beach for a National Day of Reflection, standing shoulder to shoulder in grief and solidarity. Leaders from across the political spectrum, faith communities, and civil society joined more than 10,000 mourners to honour the victims and reaffirm a simple but powerful truth: antisemitism has no place in Australia. The NSW Government has echoed this commitment, emphasising that our state is a welcoming, connected society that draws strength from its diversity and rejects hatred in all its forms.

But in the face of this darkness, we have also witnessed extraordinary courage. We honour the first responders, the NSW Police, paramedics, emergency services personnel who ran toward danger to protect others. We honour the bystanders who shielded strangers, comforted the injured, and helped children to safety. Their actions reflect the very best of who we are. We thank Ahmed al-Ahmed, who displayed incredible bravery, putting his life at risk to defend the community. He is a true hero.

Today, through this condolence motion, we honour the victims. We stand with the survivors. We support the Jewish community, here in Sydney and across Australia and we recommit ourselves to building a society where every person, regardless of faith, culture, or background, can gather in peace, celebrate without fear, and live with dignity.

May the memories of those lost be a blessing. May their families find comfort in the love of their communities. I extend the sincere and solemn condolences of myself, my family, my team and of Campbelltown to those who have been affected by this terrible tragedy.

Mr JAMES GRIFFIN ( Manly )—I want to take this opportunity, a few days before Christmas, to express on behalf of the people of Manly, our sincerest and deepest condolences with the Jewish community of Bondi and every person impacted by the senseless act of terror on December 14 2025.

Many fine words have been said by community leaders and citizens. Their sentiments and comments have articulated the grief, shock, and highlighted the bright moments of heroism.

The tragedy that has struck me the most, and I think underscores the seriousness of the broader problem of Islamic extremism and social cohesion in this state, is the death, or perhaps to use more direct language, the murder, of Alexander Kleytman, 87. Alexander survived the Holocaust, in Siberia no less. The insanity of someone surviving the horrors of World War Two, to then migrate to a safe haven on the other side of the world, and be gunned down by a deranged terrorist during an event to celebrate a religion they nearly died for half a century ago is tragic to say the least. It also goes to the heart of the challenge we face as a community, state and country. We cannot let the hateful brainwashing of predominately young men in the name of extremist islam go unchecked in our state.

Solving these challenges is not as straightforward as gun reform or protest laws. It requires a carefully considered, multi-faceted response.

To all those taken too early, we pray and think of you, and your families.

What a tragedy this has been. And we must work to ensure it never happens again.

Ms ANNA WATSON ( Shellharbour )—That this House:

1.Notes with profound sorrow the terrorist attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025, perpetrated during a public Chanukah celebration and resulting in at least 16 deaths and many injuries, with some reports indicating a higher toll as investigations continue;

2.Acknowledges that the attack has shaken the people of New South Wales and Australia, and has caused deep distress within the Jewish community and across the wider community, by targeting Australians gathered peacefully to observe a religious festival;

3.Extends its deepest condolences to the families, friends, colleagues, and loved ones of those killed, and expresses heartfelt support to all who were injured, traumatised, or displaced by this act of mass violence, recognising that grief will persist long after the news cycle has moved on;

4.Recognises that there is still much we do not yet know, including the full circumstances of planning, motivation, and whether any broader network enabled or directed the offenders, and affirms that these matters should be determined by evidence through the work of police, security agencies, and the courts;

5.Notes reporting that the attack is being investigated as terrorism and that early information provided publicly has pointed to alleged ideological inspiration associated with Islamic State, while emphasising that responsibility rests with the perpetrators and any proven accomplices, not with any community of faith;

6.Condemns unequivocally antisemitism in all its forms, whether expressed through harassment, intimidation, vandalism, threats, or violence and rejects attempts to normalise antisemitic rhetoric or to excuse it as mere "politics" or "protest";

7.Observes that antisemitism is not new, but perennial, reappearing across eras and ideologies, including within extremist narratives and conspiracies and that history repeatedly shows how hatred can begin with words and escalate into intimidation, property damage, and ultimately acts of lethal violence;

8.Acknowledges warnings made in recent years by community organisations and experts that rising antisemitism, if left unchecked, can move from lower-level incidents to catastrophic violence, and recognises that the Bondi Beach attack has intensified the urgency of prevention efforts;

9.Notes with particular sadness reports that a Holocaust survivor is among the victims, a stark reminder of the consequences of antisemitic hatred when societies fail to confront it early and decisively;

10.Pays tribute to the courage and professionalism of first responders, NSW Police, paramedics, emergency department staff, surf lifesavers, and all those who ran toward danger to protect strangers, preserve life, and restore safety in circumstances of extreme risk;

11.Commends the many Australians who responded in the aftermath with practical solidarity, through vigils, blood donation, welfare support, and community reassurance demonstrating that while terror seeks to scatter and intimidate, the response of our community can be unity, compassion, and resolve;

12.Recognises the leadership and service of Jewish community organisations and faith leaders who have supported grieving families, cared for the injured, and helped the broader community process trauma, while continuing to foster social cohesion in the face of targeted hatred;

13.Notes public reporting that the alleged offenders were a father and son, and acknowledges the disturbing reality that radicalisation can occur within intimate family settings, accelerating belief reinforcement and operational secrecy, factors that complicate disruption and prevention efforts;

14.Affirms that effective counter-terrorism and community safety require not only rapid response, but strong prevention: early intervention pathways, credible community reporting mechanisms, resourcing for de-radicalisation and disengagement services, and continued investment in intelligence-led risk management;

15.Supports a comprehensive review of any gaps in the systems designed to protect the public, particularly information-sharing, risk assessment, and firearms controls, so that lessons are identified and reforms are implemented with urgency and transparency;

16.Notes that, following the attack, the Prime Minister has ordered a national review and announced further policy measures, and urges that all governments cooperate constructively, avoiding partisan point-scoring and focusing instead on effective, evidence-based actions that improve safety and protect social cohesion;

17.States clearly that hatred is incubated and amplified, through propaganda, conspiracies, dehumanising language, and online radicalisation and that the prevention of violence therefore requires more than condemnation after tragedy; it requires sustained effort to counter extremist recruitment, address antisemitic and racist narratives, and strengthen democratic resilience;

18.Expresses concern at broader international trends showing an increased tolerance for political intimidation and political violence, particularly among younger cohorts, and warns that this sentiment, if unchallenged, creates a permissive environment in which multiple ideological movements can recruit, radicalise, and mobilise;

19.Reaffirms that freedom of expression and peaceful protest are central to a democratic society, but that these freedoms do not extend to incitement, threats, harassment, or the glorification of terrorism, and calls for consistent enforcement and clear community standards that protect targeted communities from hate-driven intimidation;

20.Endorses the principle that security for at-risk communities must be practical and properly resourced, covering community events, places of worship, schools, and cultural institutions so that people can gather openly without fear;

21.Encourages all citizens, of every faith and of no faith, to pursue community cohesion through tangible acts of kindness and responsibility, recognising that social solidarity is a form of civic strength that denies terrorism its objective of fear, division, and withdrawal from public life;

22.Acknowledges the enduring message associated with Chanukah: that light persists in darkness, and that communities can reclaim public space through unity and moral courage; and

23.Resolves that the memory of those killed at Bondi Beach will be honoured not only with words, but with actions, through justice for victims, ongoing care for survivors, strong prevention of violent extremism, and a sustained, whole-of-community commitment to confronting antisemitism wherever it appears.

And that this House orders that a copy of this motion be forwarded to representatives of the Australian Jewish community and to the families of the victims, as a formal expression of the Parliament's sympathy, solidarity, and commitment to their safety and dignity.

Ms KAREN McKEOWN ( Penrith )—I wish to extend my deepest condolences on behalf of the Penrith electorate to the community of Bondi in the wake of the recent tragedy that has touched not just families and friends of those affected, but all of New South Wales and Australia. The events at Bondi have shaken us to our core, and we stand united in grief, solidarity, and support for everyone impacted.

The shock, sadness and outrage that has followed the terrorist attack at Bondi has resonated deeply with people far beyond the eastern suburbs. In Penrith, as in communities across our state, we have mourned the 15 innocent lives lost and for those who have had their lives forever changed. We mourn with the Jewish community, families and friends who must now face an unimaginable future, and we honour the memories of those who are no longer with us.

It is important to recognise the unique pain and distress experienced by the wider Jewish community who have been particularly affected by this tragedy. Their longstanding contributions to Bondi’s cultural fabric, and the ways in which they have fostered community spirit, are deeply valued. In this time of sorrow, we stand alongside Jewish families, synagogues, and community organisations as they mourn, support one another, and begin the long process of healing. We acknowledge the strength and resilience shown by the Jewish community and assure you that Penrith’s thoughts and prayers are with you.

In moments of crisis, the courage and professionalism of our emergency services shine through. Police, paramedics, firefighters, surf life savers and hospital staff responded swiftly and selflessly, putting themselves in harm’s way to protect others. We also acknowledge the everyday heroes among the public who stepped in to help their fellow citizens. Their bravery and humanity are a testament to the best of the Australian spirit.

The tragedy at Bondi has also left a lasting impact on local businesses, schools, and organisations that form the backbone of the community. Many shops and cafes that serve as gathering places for residents were suddenly thrust into the centre of this crisis, and have since banded together to offer support, raise funds, and provide comfort. Schools have rallied to ensure that students and staff receive the emotional care they need, and local groups have organised vigils and memorials, giving everyone a space to grieve and find solidarity.

From Penrith, we send our heartfelt sympathies to everyone in Bondi but especially to the Jewish community. Our thoughts are with every person who is grieving, recovering, or supporting others through this difficult time.

Let this motion serve not only as an expression of our shared sorrow but also as a promise that the people of Penrith stand ready to assist however we can. We are reminded that in times of great adversity, our communities are stronger when we come together in compassion and solidarity. The bonds that connect us are more important than ever, and it is through collective empathy and action that we will find a way forward.

On behalf of the Penrith electorate, again I express our deepest condolences to the community of Bondi. We honour the lives lost, support the families and friends left behind, and pledge our ongoing support to the Jewish Community as you heal. May we find strength together and may the memories of those we have lost inspire kindness, resilience, and unity across our great state. The Penrith community stands with you and will continue to offer any support needed as you rebuild and remember.

In moments of crisis, the courage and professionalism of our emergency services shine through. Police, paramedics, firefighters, surf life savers and hospital staff responded swiftly and selflessly, putting themselves in harm’s way to protect others. We also acknowledge the everyday heroes among the public who stepped in to help their fellow citizens. Their bravery and humanity are a testament to the best of the Australian spirit.

The tragedy at Bondi has also left a lasting impact on local businesses, schools, and organisations that form the backbone of the community. Many shops and cafes that serve as gathering places for residents were suddenly thrust into the centre of this crisis, and have since banded together to offer support, raise funds, and provide comfort. Schools have rallied to ensure that students and staff receive the emotional care they need, and local groups have organised vigils and memorials, giving everyone a space to grieve and find solidarity.

From Penrith, we send our heartfelt sympathies to everyone in Bondi but especially to the Jewish community. Our thoughts are with every person who is grieving, recovering, or supporting others through this difficult time.

Let this motion serve not only as an expression of our shared sorrow but also as a promise that the people of Penrith stand ready to assist however we can. We are reminded that in times of great adversity, our communities are stronger when we come together in compassion and solidarity. The bonds that connect us are more important than ever, and it is through collective empathy and action that we will find a way forward.

On behalf of the Penrith electorate, again I express our deepest condolences to the community of Bondi. We honour the lives lost, support the families and friends left behind, and pledge our ongoing support to the Jewish Community as you heal. May we find strength together and may the memories of those we have lost inspire kindness, resilience, and unity across our great state. The Penrith community stands with you and will continue to offer any support needed as you rebuild and remember.

Ms JODIE HARRISON ( Charlestown—Minister for Women, Minister for Seniors, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault)—One week has passed since the terrorist attack that occurred on Sunday 14 December at 6.47 pm at Bondi Beach.

Bondi Beach is ordinarily a place of laughter, warmth and belonging. It is the most famous of our Australian beaches - where families gather, friends meet, and communities come together, particularly on a summer evening. On that night, people had gathered peacefully to celebrate the beginning of Chanukah, a time that symbolises light, hope and resilience. Instead, an act of terror brought devastation, grief and profound loss.

This attack targeted the Jewish community and has left a deep and lasting impact on our state. The grief felt in the days since has been overwhelming. The loss of innocent lives has shaken our sense of safety and wounded the heart of our community. We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of all those who were killed. No words can ease the pain of such loss, but our thoughts are with them in their sorrow.

We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community. We acknowledge the fear, anguish and heartbreak felt in the aftermath of this attack. Antisemitism, hatred and intolerance have no place in our modern, multicultural society. Words of hate can lead to acts of violence, with devastating consequences. We have a duty to confront hatred wherever it appears and to ensure our communities are places of safety, dignity and respect.

In the hour of terror and the week of sorrow that has followed, fifteen lives were taken. Each was unique. Each was deeply loved. Their deaths must not define them. They should be remembered by the lives they lived, the love they shared, and the contributions they made to their families, their communities and to this state.

Among those lost were Boris and Sofia Gurman, a devoted couple married for 34 years, remembered by their family as people of deep kindness, quiet strength and unwavering care for others. In their final moments, Boris, with Sofia courageously beside him, attempted to intervene to protect others. Their actions reflected their instinctive humanity and selflessness.

Rabbi Eli Schlanger was a devoted rabbi and chaplain who served the Bondi community for 18 years. He worked tirelessly to support Jewish life, offering care to people across all stages of life. He believed deeply in optimism, kindness and hope, and leaves behind his wife, young children, including a newborn, and a community profoundly changed by his loss.

Edith Brutman is remembered as a woman of integrity who chose humanity every day. She met prejudice with principle and division with service. Her family has asked that her life, not the senseless violence that took it, be what endures.

Boris Tetleroyd was a gentle man, a gifted musician and a valued member of his community. He was attending the Chanukah celebration with his son Yakov, who was also seriously injured.

Adam Smyth was a devoted husband and father of four, remembered for his generosity, kindness and love of family, sport and life. He was walking with his wife along the beachfront when the shooting began.

Marika Pogany, known lovingly as Omi, was a mother, grandmother and friend whose warmth and generosity touched countless lives. A proud Australian, she volunteered delivering kosher Meals on Wheels to seniors, bringing comfort and connection to those around her.

Matilda was only ten years old. She loved school, animals and her family. Her life was full of promise, and her loss is felt beyond words.

Dan Elkayam loved life fully and intensely. He brought joy wherever he went and was building a future in Australia, a country he loved.

Peter Meagher served for 34 years in the NSW Police Force, retiring as a detective sergeant. He was a volunteer, a sportsman, and a freelance photographer on the night of the attack.

Reuven Morrison was a generous and active member of the Jewish community who stood bravely against violence, even in the face of danger.

Tibor Weitzen was a beloved father, grandfather and great grandfather, remembered for his warmth, joy and devotion to his family.

Alexander Kleytman was a Holocaust survivor whose life embodied resilience and strength. He died protecting his wife of 57 years. How a Jewish person who survived the Holocaust can lose their life in such circumstances as simply celebrating their faith in our multicultural State is unfathomable to me

Rabbi Yaakov Levitan was wholly devoted to his community, giving his time, energy and heart to those around him.

Tania Tretiak was a loved member of the Sydney community, whose loss is deeply mourned.

Amidst the grief, this tragedy also revealed the courage and humanity of our community. Police officers, paramedics, surf lifesavers and members of the public leapt into action, risking their own lives to help strangers they had never met. Doctors and nurses rushed to hospitals to assist in the aftermath. These individuals exemplify the very best of our state and are the backbone of our community.

The days since have seen an extraordinary outpouring of compassion, from blood bank donations to private acts of generosity and support. In the face of hatred, people have come together with kindness and resolve.

Nothing can lessen the pain of these losses. But the courage, humanity and solidarity shown at Bondi Beach will endure. Australians are kind, tolerant and compassionate people. We must strengthen that kindness, tolerance and compassion. Australia has long been a land of hope, and we must continue to do everything possible to ensure our communities are safe.

To the Jewish community, this is your home. You belong here. We stand with you and will continue to stand with you, to confront antisemitism, and to ensure that hatred has no place in our state.

May the lives lost be honoured not by the violence that took them, but by the love, courage and humanity they embodied.

Mr EDMOND ATALLA ( Mount Druitt )—That this House records its deep sorrow and condemnation following the tragic events that occurred at Bondi and extends its deepest condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of those who lost their lives, as well as to all those who were injured and traumatised by this senseless act of violence.

This tragedy has shaken our community and our nation as a whole.

The loss of innocent lives in a location that should be a place of safety and normal daily activity has deeply affected the community, causing widespread grief and distress.

We acknowledge the pain and heartbreak endured by the victims' families, whose lives have been irrevocably changed and we recognise that no words can adequately convey the depth of our sympathy.

We honour and remember those who lost their lives, recognising each as a valued individual whose future was taken far too soon.

They will be remembered not for the manner of their passing, but for the lives they lived, the love they shared and the contributions they made to their families, workplaces, and communities.

This condolence motion also acknowledges those who were injured and traumatised, including shoppers, workers, and bystanders who witnessed this tragic event.

We extend our sincere wishes for recovery and healing and recognise the ongoing emotional and psychological impact such violence inflicts.

We also acknowledge the Jewish community who continue to grieve and who may feel a sense of vulnerability as a result of this tragedy.

I place on record my gratitude and respect for the courage and professionalism shown by our first responders, including police, paramedics, healthcare workers and emergency services personnel.

Their swift actions, bravery, and commitment under the most confronting circumstances undoubtedly saved lives and provided comfort in moments of great distress.

I also would like to acknowledge the ordinary members of the public who acted selflessly to assist others, demonstrating compassion, courage and humanity in the face of danger.

This motion affirms our collective rejection of violence and our commitment to the values of safety, respect, and care for one another.

At times such as this, it is the strength of community, unity and empathy that helps us endure and recover.

We stand together in mourning, but also in resolve to support one another and to uphold the principles that bind us as a society.

On behalf of this House, we convey our heartfelt condolences to all those affected by the Bondi tragedy.

May the memories of those who lost their lives be honoured with dignity and may their families find comfort in the care and support of the broader community.

That this motion be recorded as a mark of respect and remembrance for all those affected by this tragic event.

Ms LYNDA VOLTZ ( Auburn )—On behalf of the people of the Auburn Electorate, I wish to express our deep sorrow and profound horror at the senseless killing of fifteen innocent people, and the terrible injuries inflicted on so many others, on Sunday the 14th of December in Bondi. Terrorism is never acceptable, and violence can never be justified.

What occurred that afternoon was an atrocity. It was an act of deliberate violence carried out against people going about an ordinary, peaceful Sunday. It deliberately targeted the Jewish community taking away families, friends, workers, and visitors. Lives were stolen without reason, futures erased without mercy, and countless others have been left carrying physical wounds and invisible scars that will endure for years to come.

Our community has been deeply shocked by these events. There is disbelief, anger, grief, and fear. There is also clarity. The actions of the two gunmen have been universally condemned by the people of Auburn electorate. There is no justification, no explanation, and no excuse for such brutality. It stands in direct opposition to everything we believe in as a community and as a country.

Today, we stand in solidarity with the victims, with the injured, with their families, friends, and loved ones whose lives have been forever changed. No words can ease the pain of those who are mourning. No speech can undo what has been done. But silence is not an option. We speak today to say: you are not alone, and you are not forgotten.

Auburn is a community shaped by diversity, faith, and shared responsibility. In the face of this tragedy, our mosques, churches, temples, and community organisations stand with you. Differences of belief or background fall away in moments like this. What remains is our shared humanity. We offer whatever support we can to those affected by these events, whether that support is practical, emotional, or simply the quiet presence of people who care.

Acts of terror are designed to do more than take lives. They aim to divide us. They aim to spread fear, suspicion, and hatred. They aim to make us withdraw from one another, to question our neighbours, and to feel unsafe in our own streets and public spaces. Terrorism wins when fear replaces trust, when communities fracture, and when people are made to feel like outsiders in their own country.

We refuse that outcome.

For us to win over terrorism is to come together. It is to remember that we are Australians, bound not by sameness, but by shared values. We believe in fairness. We believe in looking out for one another. We believe that once you come to this land, you are one of us. No one should be defined as “the other.” No one should be made to feel they do not belong.

History reminds us that such wounds do not simply disappear with time. The pain of Bondi will never fully fade, just as the memories of Port Arthur and Christchurch still sit heavy on the soul. Terrorism knows no borders and is a destructive ideology. These tragedies leave marks on a nation's conscience. They remind us of what is lost when hatred and violence are allowed to take hold.

But history also teaches us something else. It teaches us that communities can respond not only with grief, but with resolve. That we can choose compassion over anger. That we can choose unity over division. That we can choose kindness, one of the most enduring and powerful Australian traits, as our answer to brutality.

In the days ahead, there will be long nights of mourning. There will also be moments when people struggle to feel safe, to feel hopeful, or to feel whole again. When that happens, let us reach out. Let us check on one another. Let us refuse to turn away.

Today, Auburn stands with Bondi. We share the responsibility to uphold the rule of law over violence, dialogue over hatred and solidarity over fear.

That is how we honour those who were lost. That is how we support those who are suffering. And that is how, together, we ensure that terror does not have the final word.

Mrs SALLY QU INNELL ( Camden )—Last night, on December 21st, I attended a memorial at St Pauls Catholic Church to commemorate the loss of 15 innocent lives last week at Bondi Beach. The people of Camden came together to share in grief and loss, and we extend our sympathies to all those affected; the families of those who were killed, those who were injured and are recovering in hospital, and all Jewish Australians. Those who were there witnessed things beyond imagination and healing will take generations. My heart, and the heart of Camden, goes out to you all.

The assumption of safety in this state has been shattered. We have all grown up with the assumption that we can attend public events without fear, that we can celebrate our religion and be safe, that we will not be targeted because of who we are and what we believe. For many Australians, that assumption has been broken in two.

In the rising sun of the following days, everyone has had to reckon with what happened and where we go from here. Important steps have been taken, and will continue to be taken, to rebuild something that broke at the very heart of our nation. And in my community, as well as many other communities across Australia, people came together in quiet, gentle solidarity. A feeling of deep kindness and purpose rose in the hearts of so many, and we saw blood banks fill with donors, flowers and donations poured out, and people came together to say clearly to our Jewish community 'you are not alone.' 'We are with you.'

Camden is 75km away from Bondi, and yet the ripples of what occurred were felt in the hearts of everyone in my community. Words cannot express the grief and loss that has been experienced- it cannot be quantified or counted, and it will permeate the soul of our society for generations to come.

My husband and I came home from church, and in the dark of the night we lit three Advent candles. In the glow of that light, we learnt the news of what had happened. At that moment, the darkness seemed to envelop all of us, and that darkness still hangs thick in the air as we are here today.

But light can always outshine the creeping darkness. I was struck by how the glow of the Advent candles reminded me of lighting the Menorah. Hope, resilience, and courage come alive in the flicker of the candle, and it reminds all those who see it that there is no darkness that light cannot overcome. Where there is terror, there is also overwhelming displays of courage, kindness and empathy beyond what we could ever comprehend. There is no hatred that love cannot outshine.

Mr RICHIE WILLIAMSON ( Clarence )—We mourn the innocent lives taken in a brutal and senseless attack at Bondi, lives stolen not by chance, but by hatred. What we witnessed was a horrific act of mass violence that has brought profound sorrow to families, friends, and to all Australians.

Today, we stand together to condemn this terrible act, and we stand together to heal, to remember, and to honour those who were killed.

The shock of what occurred has been deeply felt across our nation. It was an act of evil that has left a permanent and painful scar on Australia's collective heart. This has been a difficult week, not only for the Jewish community in Sydney, but for all Australians.

Trying to understand and come to terms with what happened has been confronting and heartbreaking for every one of us.

Extremism, hatred, and division have no place in Australia. As Australians, we are at our best when we are united, when we reject hatred, when we refuse division, and when we choose compassion over fear. No one should ever feel threatened or unsafe because of their faith. Every Australian must be free to practise their chosen religion without fear or intimidation. Our diversity is a strength, and our shared humanity binds us together.

I would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank the first responders whose courage and professionalism saved lives. The police, paramedics and community members, who ran towards danger in Bondi, the doctors, nurses, and hospital staff who worked tirelessly with skill and compassion, your actions exemplify the very best of our nation. I am also mindful of the bravery of Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert and Constable Scott Dyson, who were among the first on the scene and were injured as they faced grave danger. Another female officer was also grazed by a bullet, and an arriving police vehicle came under fire. Constable Dyson has deep connections to the North Coast, and we wish him a full and speedy recovery. These acts of bravery, and the countless others by paramedics, doctors, and nurses, are deserving of our deepest gratitude.

Although many of us were hundreds of kilometres away, the impact of the Bondi attack was felt far beyond Sydney. In the Clarence Electorate, our community gathered at Christ Church Cathedral to mourn those who were killed and to stand as one. This coming together reflects a simple truth: peace is not a lofty or abstract ideal, it is something we must strive for every day.

We achieve it in how we treat one another, in how we speak to one another, and in how we show up for our communities.

If there is to be a galvanising effect from this tragedy, the first step must be to show overt sympathy and unwavering support for our Jewish community.

The second, is to support one another as a community, across faiths, backgrounds, and beliefs. In moments like this, unity is both our responsibility and our strength.

This event will raise many questions. Some answers may come more easily than others; some will be difficult. Our nation's resolve is being tested. Yet I believe, firmly, that light always overcomes darkness, and that good ultimately prevails over evil.

We know this because we are here to show love and support to the families of those who were killed, to care for those who were injured, and to say clearly and without hesitation to the Jewish community: we stand with you, and we stand by you.

We must honour the victims not through anger or division, but by standing together, in compassion, in solidarity, and in hope.

Mr MATT CROSS ( Davidson )—14 December 2025.

This date is etched into the memory of every person who calls Sydney and Australia home.

Nearing sunset and the end of the year, it was the first night of Chanukah at Bondi Beach.

A night that should have been marked by light, faith and community.

It was not to be. It was a night of terror.

Fifteen innocent people were murdered simply for practising their Jewish faith and exercising their freedom as Australians.

Matilda, lovingly known as Bee. Peter Meagher. Tibor Weitzen. Rabbi Eli Schlanger. Dan Elkayam. Alex Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor. Reuven Morrison. Marika Pogany. Rabbi Yaakov Levitan. Boris Gurman. Sofia Gurman. Edith Brutman. Boris Tetleroyd. Adam Smyth. Tania Tretiak.

Your names will never be forgotten.

We will remember you.

We will gather each and every year on 14 December to honour your lives.

14 December 2025. It was an act of terror. It was an act of antisemitism.

To attack people for practising their faith is to attack the very foundations of Australia.

The national anthem, Advance Australia Fair, we proudly say:

"Australians all let us rejoice, for we are one and free."

One and free. To celebrate the first night of Chanukah at Bondi Beach to be one and free.

What should have been a celebration of light became a moment of darkness.

What should have been joy became grief.

What should have been unity became tragedy.

Racism and antisemitism have no place in Australia.

In February 2025, this Parliament came together and took action to combat antisemitism.

I said it then, and I say it again now:

"Antisemitism goes against everything we stand for as Australians and the values we hold dear."

As the Leader of the Opposition said on the Day of Reflection at Bondi Beach:

"Antisemitism has now led to the spilling of blood on our nation's most iconic beach."

Each and every one of us has a role to combat and confront antisemitism.

It begins by calling it out. Language, graffiti, vandalism, violence, and now, in terror.

We can no longer stay silent. We can no longer allow it to become normalised.

We must call it out. We must stop it.

I thank and acknowledge the first responders who acted with extraordinary courage and professionalism.

To the NSW Police Force, paramedics, doctors, nurses and emergency workers. Thank you.

You made critical, split-second decisions under immense pressure: disarming attackers, securing the area, protecting the wider community and providing lifesaving care.

Your actions were decisive, disciplined and selfless.

At a moment when our sense of safety was profoundly shaken, you reminded us of the very best of Australia. Bravery in the face of evil, service above self, and an unwavering commitment to protecting others.

I wish a full and speedy recovery to Constable Scott Dyson and Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert.

To Ahmed al-Ahmed and Gefen Biton. Thank you.

You placed your own lives at risk, without hesitation, to save the lives of others.

Your actions were nothing short of heroic.

I now wish to speak directly to the Jewish community of the Davidson electorate.

I stand shoulder to shoulder with you in both good times and bad times. I am honoured to count many of you as my friends.

You are a generous, inclusive and vibrant community that contributes enormously to our social, cultural and civic life.

To Rabbi Natti Friedler, Rabbi Paul Lewin, Rabbi Mendy Schapiro, Rabbi Nochum Schapiro and Rabbi Chanoch Sufrin. Thank you.

Thank you for your leadership, your wisdom and your spiritual guidance at this time to our community, both Jewish and non-Jewish.

To Masada College, led by Principal Raquel Charet. Thank you. You educate our next generations with values of faith, service and excellence.

To the Jewish community of Davidson: I support you. I stand with you. I am here for you.

I leave you with a shared scripture, found in both the Tehillim and Psalms:

"Adonai ori v'yishi, mimi ira"

"The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?"

Even in darkness, light will always endure.

Dr MICHAEL HOLLAND ( Bega )—I join with the premier, the government, and the people of the Bega electorate in our sorrow at the loss of fifteen innocent lives at Bondi beach on Sunday 14th December

I also acknowledge the many others who suffered injury in the same horrific attack

Bondi has special significance for me

I attended Waverley college up the road for 10 years

In 1970 in first form, our class visited a Bondi synagogue as part of our religious education

We catholic schoolboys were received with kindness and patience by the local rabbi

We were ignorant of the holocaust, the generational genocide of world war two

We saw nazis as comic figures in sitcoms and parodies, as the baddies in movies

I remember asking my mother about the tattoo on the forearm of the travelling clothing salesman who visited our home

I didn’t get a satisfactory response as children of our generation were protected from the knowledge of the evils of the extermination camps.

Now we know about the fascism that existed then

We know about the fascism that threatens us now

And now we know about the horror of ideological extremism which has led to the slaughter of fifteen innocent individuals at the celebration of chanukah

Beaches like bondi are the essence of Australia

They are the ultimate expression of our freedom

They are places of secular asylum and refuge

Where you are not condemned for your speedos, board shorts, or burqinis

They are shared sites where you are free of discrimination by race, religion, and sexuality

Now bondi and its Jewish community have been the victims of a hateful atrocity

The abhorrent evil antisemitic terrorist act of Sunday 14th December is the darkest hour of this state

That inhumanity does not define us

Humanity defines us

The world witnessed the courage shown under a hateful and bigoted attack of fatal intolerance

However, that fatal intolerance is its weakness

It is intolerance itself which will cause its death not the death of those loving and tolerant Australians

This vilification defiles us all

It defiles Christians, Jews, Muslims, Blacks, and the LGBTQI+ community

It defiles those who have no faith except in the goodness of humanity

When inhumanity breeds with inhumanity, it does not produce humanity

The same corrupt putrid fruit falls from that tree

Jews, Christians, Muslims, and Hindus share the significance of light in their celebrations

The representation of divine light and the guidance of revelation

We see that light at chanukah and at Christmas

But no light shines from the torch of intolerance

It is a darkness where the vermin of racism and intolerance thrive

Jewish convicts were on our first fleets, and later the Jews of russia fled the pogroms of the 1880s and early 1900s

Then we had the second wave of survivors after the horrific genocide of world war two

They came to this country for the same reasons as all our ancestors

They came for a better life for them and their families

And the jewish community has made our state and our nation a better place

It has contributed to our highest level of public life, in medicine, in law, in business, in the arts, and in politics

And in private life, in its friendship, in its kindness, and in its true humanity

We are leaders

That is why we are here

We represent some who are good but timid, thoughtless, or uninformed

These mild and gentle people of prejudice allow passive, casual, and subliminal discrimination through their silence and acquiescence

As leaders, we must inform them of the tangible risk of bigotry, and we must demonstrate leadership against racism and intolerance

Antisemitism is one of the longest and most enduring form of racism

We have grown our own fascists and radical idealogues

Fascists have existed in our nation for the past century

Like a malignancy that recurs when our defences are down, these opportunistic cancers where there is fear and uncertainty

It takes advantage of conspiracy theories, denial, lies, and disinformation

And it feeds on those who fear and hate multiculturalism, freedom of choice, freedom of faith, and freedom of industrial organisation.

That fear is their weakness

They fear us

Their fear is our strength

They fear the majority of our people who live in a peaceful, social coexistence

They fear their own existence because of the power of the goodness, the morality, the virtue of our people.

That is our strength

They fear the unity that good and honest people show even in times of disaster and attack

That is why they try, through their acts, to divide us

Ultranationalism, xenophobia, and antisemitism go hand in hand

We are influenced by global conflicts, online hate, and extremist ideologies

Our state must declare war on domestic terrorism

We must take example from the previous leadership experience of Australia at the declarations of the first and second world wars

We must not fall under the influence of special interest and machine politicians at a time in need of unity

My medical and nursing colleagues of all races and beliefs have provided complex care from first aid and resuscitation to major surgery

Sometimes sadly, they could provide only compassion and palliation, holding a hand in their passing, saying a kind word in the ear of a stranger

The first responders, the witnesses, the volunteers, and the blood donors were also people of all races and beliefs

Those of all races and beliefs witnessed and experienced trauma

Sorry cannot express the depth of sorrow which we experience

Condolence is not an emotive word

I can only express my shared grief and my shared sense of human vulnerability

May god comfort the families of those killed and injured in this evil crime against humanity

May god heal the physical and mental wounds suffered by the injured and their selfless responders

The constituents of the Bega electorate share your sorrow

We aspire to your strength

We unite with you in goodness against the evil experienced on chanukah 2025

Ms MARYANNE STUART ( Heathcote )—On behalf of my electorate of Heathcote, I extend my deepest condolences to our brothers and sisters in the Jewish Community. We mourn for the 15 beautiful souls, these wonderful, generous, big-hearted members of our community whose innocence was lost during the terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community at Bondi Beach on Sunday, 14, December 2025.

I also convey my gratitude for the bravery shown by those who risked their lives in aiding the victims, including members of local Surf Life Saving clubs, front line responders such as the New South Wales Police, New South Wales ambulance, community groups such as the CSG Community Safety Group and members of the public. Your bravery and courage were unimaginable, you are Heroes.

I recognise the devastating impact this attack has had on the Jewish community in our state and our country.

Antisemitism, hatred and intolerance in all its forms, has no place in our modern multicultural community.

We stand in solidarity with our state's Jewish community and commit to supporting them through this process of healing.

To our friends in the Jewish Community, this is your home. This has always been your home, and we must as individuals, do everything we possibly can to ensure that every brother, sister and neighbour of ours are safe and protected in this city – regardless of race and religion - today and across the generations to come.

Mr MARK TAYLOR ( Winston Hills )—I rise today on behalf of the people of the Winston Hills electorate to express our sorrow and condemnation following the horrific terrorist attack in Bondi.

This was an appalling act of violence that targeted innocent people and struck at the heart of our Australian values, that people should be able to live freely, safely, and without fear.

The Bondi attack was not only an assault on individuals and families, but it was also an attack on a community. It targeted Jewish Australians and has deeply shaken the Jewish community at a time of significant cultural and spiritual importance. For many, this should have been a period of reflection, remembrance, and renewal. Instead, it has been marked by grief, fear, and anguish.

The people of Winston Hills have been deeply affected by this tragedy. In the days following the attack, my office received an outpouring of messages from residents expressing sorrow, concern, and solidarity. These messages have come from people of all ages, backgrounds, and faiths. They speak not only of shock and sadness, but of a shared sense that this attack has impacted us all.

Winston Hills is a place where people look out for one another, where diversity is respected, and where hatred is rejected. Local residents have made their message clear, which is that antisemitism has no place in our community, no place in our state, and no place in our nation.

Personally, I have Jewish colleagues who have expressed the impact of this tragedy on the wider community. When a community is targeted because of its identity, the impact is felt by their families, friendships, schools, workplaces, and neighbourhoods.

Today, on behalf of the Winston Hills community, we mourn the lives lost in this act of terror. We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones who are grieving. No words can lessen their pain, but it is important that this House formally recognises their loss and affirms that their loved ones will be remembered.

We also acknowledge those who survived, those who witnessed the violence, and the first responders who acted with courage and professionalism in the face of unimaginable circumstances.

Acts of terror are intended to fracture communities and erode trust. Yet the response from our community has demonstrated the opposite. People have reached out to express compassion, to offer support, and to reaffirm their commitment to standing together. That unity is powerful, and it must be protected and strengthened.

Let this condolence motion serve as a clear statement that hatred will never define our community. Our shared responsibility is not only to mourn, but to ensure that our communities remain places of safety, dignity, and mutual respect.

On behalf of the Winston Hills community, I offer our deepest sympathies to all those affected by the Bondi attack. We grieve with you, we stand with you, and we reaffirm our commitment to a society where every person is valued and protected.

I also wish to place on record, on behalf of the Winston Hills community, our deep appreciation for the first responders who attended the scene. Police, paramedics, lifeguards, emergency personnel and nearby civilians acted with bravery, professionalism, and compassion in circumstances of extreme danger and distress.

Their swift actions saved lives and provided comfort to those in shock. At a moment defined by fear and violence, their courage and commitment stood as a powerful reminder of the strength and humanity that exists within our community.

Mr RON HOENIG ( Heffron—Minister for Local Government)—In April 1945, the Jews of Buchenwald when liberated by US forces, made a promise to the world in two words: never again.

Following the events of Sunday 14 December, those words represent not just a slogan etched into history, but a responsibility that we all must now shoulder.

The tragic events of Sunday have changed Australia forever.

The violence that permeated what was a peaceful, joyous occasion does not – and should not – happen in Australia.

We are a country that is celebrated around the world for embracing new cultures.

We are renowned for our care-free and laid-back nature – that's the Australian way of life.

It is unthinkable the level of violence inflicted on Jewish people simply celebrating their faith could happen – quite literally, on Australian shores.

The truth is, for Jewish people, we knew it was possible.

History has shown us, it was inevitable.

Those of us who's families are scarred by the horrors of the Holocaust saw the signs.

The signs that have been consistent throughout human history.

Perhaps, we did not pay enough attention.

Since October 7, Jews in this country and around the world have experienced antisemitism on a scale not seen since the second world war.

Never, in my lifetime, have I witnessed such proliferation of antisemitism in Australia.

In the country my parents – and countless other families emigrated to, to escape persecution and the Holocaust.

The concentrated antisemitic attacks on Australia's Jewish community including here in Sydney are designed to incite fear and terror.

Graffiti in Jewish neighbourhoods – on Jewish schools and Jewish-owned businesses.

The fire-bombing of synagogues.

These attacks aim to stoke division and disharmony within our community.

They have been taken from the playbook of history.

Jews have faced persecution and extermination for over thirty centuries.

If you look back through history, antisemitism always starts in the same way.

It starts with hate speech and blaming Jews as a minority for problems that exist within society.

Then it progresses to acts of graffiti and damage to property.

Human rights are taken away from Jewish people. Then it leads to acts of violence and murder.

The despicable massacre carried out on Bondi beach was the result of antisemitism that had been left unchecked.

The Jewish community has been warning a major escalation of antisemitic violence in this country was imminent.

We didn't want to believe it could possibly happen in Australia.

But it has.

Today, I offer my sincere condolences to the 15 innocent lives lost in this senseless act of violence.

15 families ripped apart by the actions of two terrorists.

My thoughts are with the dozens of wounded who have suffered life-long injuries, and those still recovering.

The acts of bravery and mateship displayed during the attack and in the immediate aftermath remind us all what it truly means to be Australian.

To the lifesavers who ran from the beach towards danger to provide first aid, the bystanders who shielded others from bullets – these acts of courage from that fateful day are what will be remembered.

To all the emergency services personnel – our incredible police, paramedics, doctors, nurses and all the health staff who treated dozens of people in the most unimaginable circumstances – we cannot thank you enough.

The scars from this tragedy will not just be physical. And they will not fade quickly.

Right now, our country is mourning.

This was not just an attack on the Jewish way of life, it was an attack on the Australian way of life.

It was an attack on the rich cultural tapestry of Australia, woven by the diverse cultures who call our wonderful country home.

On that Sunday afternoon, Jewish families came to Bondi to celebrate Chanukah, the Festival of Light.

For Jews, Chanukah is one of the most sacred times of the year.

It is a time of reflection and a reminder that light prevails over darkness.

That goodness prevails over evil.

There are so many questions about what unfolded that terrible Sunday evening that cannot be answered.

But if there is one thing I do know, is that Jewish people are resilient.

Despite the horror and tragedy and the insurmountable grief, the Jewish community will continue to hold our heads high.

We will continue to practice our faith.

We will continue to share love and spread messages of hope and joy.

The Jewish community will get through this time as we always have – for nearly 4,000 years.

There is an expression that says the light of the Jewish soul can never be extinguished.

Irrespective of the darkness that has engulfed Bondi Beach and the Jewish community, light and goodness will prevail.

In lighting the menorah to celebrate Chanukah, each flame lights the next – teaching us that light is never diminished when shared.

Instead, it multiplies, expands, enlightens and transforms.

It reminds us that we are stronger when we stand together.

Antisemitism is a cancer that corrodes the fabric of our society.

It will only be eradicated if we refuse to say silent.

If we continue to act, to show the Jewish community they are not alone – that their lives matter as much as anyone else.

This responsibility rests on the shoulders of every single Australian – to call out antisemitism for what it is.

To say never again.

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

We must never forget, and we must never stay silent.

Only then, can light truly triumph over darkness.

Ms JO HAYLEN ( Summer Hill )—The peace and joy of a summer's evening at Bondi Beach was shattered on Sunday 14 December. In a senseless act of terror, a horrific antisemitic attack on our Jewish community, fifteen innocent lives were lost and injured dozens more.

On behalf of our inner west community, I extend my deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who were killed. They were simply enjoying the most ordinary and beautiful of things, celebrating their faith, sharing time with loved ones.

They were doing this in the most Australian of places – the beach – a place that is at the core of who we are as Australian's, a place where all people come, from across Sydney, and indeed from across the world, for free, to be carefree and to be together.

They should have been safe. They should have come home.

This atrocious, barbaric act was targeted at on our Jewish community, simply for being themselves and celebrating their faith. This hate has no place in Australia.

Again, on behalf of our inner west community, I say loudly and clearly to the Jewish community; this is your home, you are welcome here and we stand with you as equal and valued members of our society. You, like all Australians, have the right to live openly, safely and freely without fear.

Sunday changed so many lives forever.

The victims were not only loved by their families, but they were also valued members of our community, many volunteers who selflessly gave their time for the care of others.

Their absence will be felt by many, and we honour their lives and the contribution they made to our state.

I know we're also thinking of those recovering from their injuries in our hospitals and those who witnessed the horror of that day. The trauma they carry will not fade quickly, and they have our compassion, our support, and our commitment to help them heal, physically and mentally. You are all in our hearts.

A week on we are still learning of the many stories of extraordinary bravery of so many that Sunday night. Of the NSW Police, of paramedics, surf lifesavers and all the incredible first responders.

We're also deeply grateful to the doctors, nurses and hospital staff who worked tirelessly through the night to save lives, including those off duty locals that came rushing in to help and to the many ordinary everyday Australians who ran towards danger to protect others.

Their courage saved lives. In moments of unimaginable horror, ordinary Australians and frontline responders acted with extraordinary humanity. They remind us of the very best of who we are.

Heroes like Ahmed al-Ahmed. Ahmed crept up on the gunmen. He tackled him and wrestled the gun out of his hand. He was shot twice and kept going. This incredible act of heroism undoubtedly saved lives – and it epitomises the best of our multicultural community.

Heroes like Jessica Rozen who protected and comforted someone else's child from raining gun shots, saving the three-year old's life while getting injured herself.

Heroes like Jackson Dolan, a lifeguard who ran towards the violence with medical equipment from his neighbouring beach and along with other lifeguards used their surfboards as stretchers and their first aid skills to save the wounded.

So many people have done everything they can to help. Like the thousands of Australians who queued to donate blood in the hours after the attack. Your generosity and solidarity are a powerful reminder that, in the face of hate, our community responds with compassion and courage.

This racist attack was an assault not only on Jewish Australians but on all of us and the values we hold dear, of peace, freedom, and community, that have made Australia the most successful multicultural nation on earth. It is our enduring strength.

Now more than ever we need to pull on that strength and put those values into practice.

Be it the small act of kindness of rolling up your sleeve to donate blood like so many have done at our local Marrickville Lifeblood Centre, or reaching out to your neighbours, your Jewish friends and colleagues, to make sure they don't feel alone, we all share a responsibility to make our communities safe.

Critically Speaker, Premier Minns and the NSW Government is acting decisively and doing everything possible to uphold those values. To comprehensively reject hate and eliminate it in all its forms, to dramatically reform our gun laws to make them the strongest in Australia and significantly restrict access to dangerous weapons, to make sure we are all safe and feel safe in this wonderful country.

On behalf of the inner west community and the people of NSW we offer our deepest condolences on the loss of these innocent lives.

We will forever honour these lives lost on that terrible day at Bondi Beach.

We know who we are and what we stand for as a nation.

We will heal and draw on our diversity to bind us together.

We will come through this, into the light, safer and stronger.

Mr RAY WILLIAMS ( Kellyville )—I take this opportunity to express my heart- felt condolences to the entire Australian Jewish community and particularly extend my sympathy's to the many families and friends of the 15 lives taken so tragically at Bondi Beach during Hanukkah.

No one in Australia should ever live in fear, yet the Australian Jewish community continue to endure hatred and vilification through a continual rise in antisemitism.

As we move into 2026, I pray the actions of leaders in NSW will address the cause of these heinous actions and bring an end to the racism committed against the Australian Jewish community.

A fundamental objective of Jewish faith is to leave this world a better place for everyone.

It is little to ask that the same courtesies be extended to the Australian Jewish community.

Ms JANELLE SAFFIN ( Lismore—Minister for Small Business, Minister for Recovery, and Minister for the North Coast)—I rise today to speak in support of this condolence motion, and I do so with a heavy heart.

We come together in this Chamber to acknowledge an act of violence that has deeply shaken our state and our nation.

We honour the memory of the fifteen innocent people who were killed. Each of these wonderful people mattered. Each person was cherished. Each person leaves behind family, friends and communities forever changed.

To their families and loved ones, I extend my deepest condolences. I know that no words spoken here can ease the unimaginable pain you are experiencing. But I hope you know that the Parliament of New South Wales, the people of NSW, and the NSW Government led by our Premier Chris Minns stand with you. That your grief is shared. That your loved ones will be remembered.

I would also like to acknowledge those who were injured both physically and psychologically. Many will carry the impacts of this violence long after headlines fade. The trauma experienced by witnesses, first responders, by everyone there cannot be overestimated, by our Jewish community most of all - who have once again been forced to confront fear and insecurity simply for practising their faith.

As Premier Chris Minns has made clear, there is no place in New South Wales for antisemitism, for hatred, or for violence motivated by prejudice. This was an attack not only on individuals, families, and our Jewish community, but also on the values we hold as a society including dignity, safety, and mutual respect.

In Lismore, where I live and serve, members of our Jewish community have told me of their shock, their sadness, and their concern for their children and families.

In the days following this tragedy, I attended vigils in both Lismore and Sydney. In Lismore, people gathered to lay flowers at the Rotary Peace Pole in Lismore's Riverside Park. There we stood shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with our Jewish community – our community.

In Sydney, thousands have come together across faiths, cultures and backgrounds to mourn, to show respect and concern. To clearly say that hatred will not define us.

At those vigils, I witnessed deep grief, but I also witnessed resolve. I saw people who refused to run away from one another, who chose instead to stand together with dignity and compassion. In those moments, I was reminded that while violence seeks to divide us, community remains our strongest response.

As Minister for Recovery, I am acutely aware that trauma does not end when the immediate event has passed. In my work across fire and flood-affected communities, I have spent countless hours in community hubs where people arrive not just for practical assistance, but carrying shock, grief and exhaustion.

In those community hubs and through lived experience, I have learned that healing requires more than resources. It requires listening. It requires presence. It requires trust. It requires a sense that you are not alone. And above all, it requires action.

Some of these principles apply here. Our Jewish community, and all those affected by this antisemitic violence, must know that they are not alone. That this Government, and the people of this state are committed not only to words of condolence, but to take real action, confronting hatred wherever it appears.

This motion is a collective declaration of who we are and what we stand for. It affirms that we remember that we grieve together, and that we refuse to accept violence or prejudice as normal.

Today, we remember fifteen honourable lives taken far too soon. We honour their humanity. We acknowledge the pain of their families and loved ones. We recognise those who were injured and traumatised. And we stand in solidarity with our Jewish community here in Sydney, in Lismore, and right across New South Wales.

Let this moment strengthen our resolve to protect and care for one another, to speak out against antisemitism and all forms of hatred. As a Member of Parliament, and as a Minister in this Government, I share the Premier's commitment to build a state where every person can feel safe, be safe and live without fear. Thank you.

Mrs HELEN DALTON ( Murray )—That deepest sorrow is expressed at the tragic loss of life resulting from the violent attack at Bondi, an event that has profoundly affected the local community and resonated deeply with people across New South Wales and the nation;

That those who were killed are mourned, solidarity is extended to those who were injured, and heartfelt sympathy is offered to the families, friends, neighbours, and loved ones whose lives have been irrevocably altered by this senseless act;

That recognition is given to the shock and grief felt within the Bondi community, as well as the widespread sorrow experienced throughout New South Wales, as a place known for openness, safety, and community was transformed into a scene of profound tragedy;

That sincere condolences are extended to all who mourn, including families who have lost parents, children, siblings, partners, and friends, and to those who continue to endure physical and emotional trauma as a result of this event;

That tribute is paid to the courage, professionalism, and compassion of first responders, emergency service personnel, health workers, and hospital staff who acted swiftly and decisively in service of the community and the people of New South Wales;

That the bravery and humanity shown by members of the public—local residents, workers, and bystanders—who assisted others, offered comfort, and acted selflessly in moments of fear and uncertainty are honoured, reflecting the strength and resilience of the community and the State;

That all forms of violence are condemned and it is affirmed that such acts will not define society nor diminish the values of care, respect, and solidarity that bind the people of New South Wales;

That commitment is reaffirmed to the safety and wellbeing of all people in New South Wales, and to ensuring that appropriate local and statewide support services are available to those affected, including ongoing health, counselling, and community assistance;

That the memory of those who lost their lives is honoured by standing together in compassion and unity—locally and across the State—and by resolving to learn from this tragedy in the service of a safer future; and

That a period of silence be observed as a mark of respect for the victims and in solidarity with all those affected by this devastating event.

Dr DAVID SALIBA ( Fairf ield )—On behalf of the Fairfield community, I offer our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the fifteen innocent people who lost their lives, and the many others who were injured, during the terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community at Bondi Beach on Sunday, 14 December 2025.

We mourn the loss of those taken far too soon, including Sofia Gurman, Boris Gurman, Edith Brutman, Boris Tetleroyd, Marika Pogany, Tibor Weitzen, Reuven Morrison, Alex Kleytman, Peter Meagher, Dan Elkayam, Adam Smyth, Tania Tretiak, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, and 10-year-old Matilda — all of whom had so much life ahead of them.

Our community is grieving, and we share in the pain of their families and loved ones.

Antisemitism and violent extremism have no place in any society. What occurred on 14 December was an act of evil, directed at a peaceful religious celebration — a beachfront Chanukah festival.

Everyone deserves to live in peace, and the right to life is paramount to the functioning of our society. The government's primary role is to protect every life within its jurisdiction, and we must do everything possible to ensure such an atrocity never occurs again.

While evil was present at Bondi, we also witnessed the very best of humanity. I acknowledge the courage and selflessness of police, paramedics, doctors, nurses, surf lifesavers, and members of the public who risked their lives to save others. Some paid a terrible price through injury or loss of life. We thank them for their bravery and service.

Once again, I extend my deepest condolences. I wish a full recovery to those injured, and to those who lost their lives — may they rest in peace.

Mr MARK HODGES ( Castle Hill )—This Christmas season, a time that should be marked by peace, joy and light, has instead been overshadowed by profound sorrow.

The horrific attack at Bondi on Sunday 14 December has shaken our state and our nation to its core. Like so many across our community, I have been heartbroken by the loss of innocent lives — taken in an act of senseless violence at a moment that should have been all about the celebration of peace and light.

Bondi Beach has an almost sacred status as an emblem of our nation - a symbol of who we are. It is one of those instantly-recognisable places to those are from overseas – not just for its stunning natural beauty, but for the quintessential Australian attitudes it represents: laidback, welcoming, carefree.

On that summer evening, families and friends had gathered by the sea to celebrate the first night of Chanukah. Children laughed. Music filled the air. A community was expressing its faith openly and joyfully. And then, in moments, that joy was shattered.

The murder of innocent people at Bondi is beyond comprehension. But what is clear — and what must be said plainly — is that the Chanukah Festival and the Jewish community were deliberately targeted in an act of pure hatred against the Jewish people. This cowardly act strikes at the very heart of our nation.

Today, we remember and honour the 15 innocent persons who lost their lives at Bondi on 14 December 2026.

Sofia and Boris Gurman,

Rabbi Eli Schlanger,

Rabbi Yaakov Levitan,

Edith Brutman,

Boris Tetlyroyd,

Matilda,

Marika Pogany,

Peter Meagher,

Dan Elkayam,

Reuven Morrison,

Tibor Weitzen,

Alexander Kleytman,

Adam Smith, and

Tania Tretiak.

Each name represents a life of meaning — a family member deeply loved, a friend deeply missed, a contributor to our community whose absence leaves an immeasurable void.

I want to draw particular attention to Boris and Sofia Gurman — a married couple who, in their final moments, demonstrated extraordinary courage and selflessness. They did not flee. They did not think first of their own safety. Instead, they acted — attempting to disarm the gunman and protect those around them. They paid the ultimate price for that bravery. Their actions speak to the very best of humanity: love for one another, responsibility for community, and a willingness to stand against evil even at the greatest cost. I am reminded of those immortal words: "Greater love hath no man than this .. he lay down his life for his friends."

At this time of year, many across our community will hear the opening words of St John's Gospel, read out at Christmas services:

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

Those words carry particular weight this Christmas. Because what we saw at Bondi was darkness in its ugliest form. But what we have also seen since is light — in courage, in compassion, and in the actions of ordinary Australians.

We honour the bravery of police officers, paramedics, doctors, nurses, surf lifesavers, lifeguards, volunteers and members of the public who ran towards danger to save others. Their actions saved lives. Their actions remind us of who we are.

But solidarity must not be fleeting. It must endure.

The Jewish community has warned — for months — about rising antisemitism, about fear becoming normalised, about hatred being tolerated when it should have been confronted. December 14 did not come without warning. If we are to truly honour those who were murdered, we must be honest about that — and resolute in ensuring it is never repeated.

No Australian should feel compelled to hide their faith, their identity, or who they are in order to feel safe. When any group is targeted because of who they are, the fabric of our entire society is damaged.

This Christmas, our hearts are heavy. But they are not hardened.

May the memories of those who were taken be a blessing. And may the light that shines in darkness guide us to stand firm against hatred, to protect one another, and to ensure that evil never has the final word.

I extend my condolences to all members of the community who have suffered by reason of the senseless act of violence. We must never forget those who have lost their lives. We must continue to take action to ensure that the type of violence we have witnessed is never repeated.

Mr GEOFF PROVEST ( Tweed )—We mourn the innocent lives lost in the brutal and senseless attack at Bondi. Lives taken not by chance, but by hatred. What we witnessed in Bondi was a horrific act of mass violence that has brought deep sorrow to Australians everywhere.

6.47pm on 14 December 2025 was shocking and profoundly evil, and it will leave a deep and lasting scar on our country.

The days since last Sunday have been incredibly difficult—not only for the Jewish community, but for all Australians. Trying to understand and come to terms with what happened has been challenging for every one of us.

Extremism, hatred, and division have no place in Australia. We are at our best when we are united—when we reject hatred and refuse to be divided.

I would also like to acknowledge and thank the first responders. The police, paramedics and lifeguards who showed up to care for those in Bondi. The selfless heroes who raced toward the danger when instinct was to run the other way. The ordinary people who held the wounded and showed no bounds of courage. The doctors, nurses, and hospital staff who worked tirelessly and showed great compassion to help and care for the victims, their families and all those affected by this senseless act.

Peace is not beyond our reach. It is built each day through kindness, respect, and the way we come together as a community.

No one should ever feel threatened or unsafe because of their faith. Every Australian should know they can attend their place of worship without fear.

If there is to be any galvanising effect from this tragedy, the first step must be to show our heartfelt sympathy and unwavering support for our Jewish brothers and sisters. The second—and most important—step is to support one another as a united community.

Although separated by distance, the Tweed felt the impact of the Bondi terror attack, with our community coming together in solidarity to mourn the lives of fellow Australians taken in a senseless act of violence.

As a nation, we stand together to condemn this terrible act and stand together as a community.

Mr STEVE WHAN ( Monaro—Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education)—I join my colleagues in paying tribute to the 15 victims and more than 40 people injured in the December 14 Bondi terror attack.

The Premier gave a deeply moving statement this morning, honouring each life lost and the legacy they leave behind. My thoughts are also with the Jewish faith and cultural communities… the grieving families and friends who have come together to fill an unimaginable void with a love and light that has shone brightly in the face of hatred and division.

What should have been an afternoon of sunshine, celebration, and a great day at the beach became one of the darkest days in the history of our country.

Last night's vigil at Bondi was a powerful reminder of the profound grief felt by the Jewish community. A grief shared by all of us.

I attended Sunday nights' vigil; it was moving, and for something so heart-breakingly sad, it also brought a real feeling of hope and positivity.

Rabbi Yehoram Ulman brought tears to my, and most other eyes, as he went through the names of the victims, highlighting a beautiful positive characteristic of each – and urging us all to take their example and do more.

His was a speech of compassion and dignity as he acknowledged his son-in-law Rabbi Schlanger, one of the much-loved victims.

Seeing Ahmed al-Ahmed's father lighting a candle on the Hanukkah menorah was wonderful, symbolising to, to me, the humanity that binds us together regardless of religion.

Out of this horrid event, we saw new Aussie heroes emerge. People who ran into the line of fire to protect strangers and the innocent, some of whom lost their lives:

Borris and Sofia Gurman – who selflessly tried to stop the shooters before being shot themselves.

Ahmed al-Ahmed – a hero who has inspired the world.

Constable Scott Dyson and Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert - two brave police officers who were injured in the line of duty.

The paramedics, surf lifesavers and other first responders who didn't hesitate when lives were on the line.

These brave people represent the best, they and the thousands who have given selflessly to help others over the past 8 days deserve our gratitude. They help to rebuild our faith in human nature.

I have two Jewish staff members, one in my electorate office and one in my ministerial office, and for them the wounds of December 14 will take time to heal.

I particularly want to put on record for the house the comments from my media adviser Fee Chemke‑Dreyfus.

I quote Fee:

"Last Sunday's attack was deliberate, targeted, and driven by a hateful extremist Islamist ideology.

"Antisemitism has existed for centuries, and while it may never fully disappear, that cannot be an excuse for complacency. We all share a responsibility to confront it and to do everything we can to push it back.

"Our community is hurting. We are all affected. Everyone has a story from Sunday…a friend, a family member, someone injured or killed, or someone who knows someone.

"The scale of the loss and shock has left many of us utterly broken, numb, and feeling as though we are living in a nightmare. And although this is something we warned about for so long, it still feels inconceivable that it actually happened.

"It has been deeply heartening to see the overwhelming majority of Australians stand together in support of Australia's small Jewish community during this time. I hope this solidarity continues and only grows stronger."

I can't begin to imagine the scale of the sense of sadness and loss that Fee and the Jewish community here in Sydney must feel.

I'm not Jewish, and I don't live close to the area this evil act took place on, but that doesn't stop me having the awful feeling that the wonderful multicultural society I love – and am so proud of - has been shaken.

A feeling of anxiety over what has happened, over what people like me can do - to help - or to combat what I have been seeing happening in our society.

Good people have to stand up against the intolerance that drove these antisemitic murders and that also drives fascism and Islamophobia.

Good people are also able to express their concern and hurt over the deaths of innocent civilians in other parts of the world without blaming a whole race or religion.

No one should feel they are a target because of their religion.

No one should feel less safe because they wear clothing that identifies them as being from a particular religion or race.

Jewish people have been subject to that sort of disgusting persecution for millennia, from being blamed for the woes of medieval Christian cities to the holocaust. Shameful chapters in history that echo frighteningly when we see antisemitic graffiti, targeted acts of vandalism, and culminating in this appalling evil act of terrorism.

Against all that, it was wonderful to see and hear on Sunday night, from the people most affected, that the response to this evil act had to be love and education.

On Sunday night the crowd joined in a chorus of "I am Australian", a song that celebrates our diversity, from the first Australians to "from all the lands on earth we come."

Antisemitism, islamophobia, racism and racist anti-immigrant rhetoric, it's all hurtful and dangerous.

We must be clear it is all unacceptable in this Australian society made up of so many people from so many nations.

This grief won't pass in just a week or two and neither will our responsibility to ensure nothing like this happens again. We must remain vigilant. Hatred, racism, and antisemitism must be rejected outright. Rejected in our communities and rejected by the systems we put in place to protect them.

My heartfelt condolences to all the families and friends of the victims, and to all who feel the anguish of this vile action.

Mr JORDAN LANE ( Ryde )—I speak to this condolence motion with a heavy heart, on behalf of my community in Ryde, and on behalf of a state still struggling to comprehend the scale and horror of what unfolded in Bondi.

Fifteen innocent lives were taken. Families shattered. A sense of safety torn away in a place that symbolises everything we hold dear about Australian life—sunlight, openness, freedom, and community. There are no words that can adequately meet the grief of those left behind, but today this Parliament must at least pause, reflect, and honour those lives with sincerity and resolve.

Moments like this force us to confront uncomfortable truths. Not just about security, or systems, or failures—but about who we are, and who we are prepared to be, in the face of hatred and violence.

Bondi is not just a beach. It is a symbol of Australian life lived openly and without fear. And it is precisely that openness—our pluralism, our tolerance, our belief in coexistence—that extremists seek to destroy. They do not hate us because we are weak. They hate us because our way of life is fundamentally good, and because it exposes the emptiness of their own worldview.

In Ryde, we see every day what harmony looks like in practice. Ours is a community of extraordinary diversity—of faiths, cultures, languages and histories. People worship differently, celebrate differently, and come from every corner of the globe. And yet they live side by side, raise families together, volunteer together, and show up for one another when it matters.

Harmony is not passive. It does not happen by accident. It is built through mutual respect, shared rules, and a collective understanding that while we are free to disagree, we are not free to dehumanise. That distinction matters.

This tragedy reminds us that tolerance cannot mean indifference. Inclusion cannot mean silence. And harmony cannot be sustained if we are unwilling to draw firm lines around our values.

Australia is a liberal democracy. That means we protect freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of association. But it also means we reject violence, hatred, and ideologies that seek to divide people along lines of faith or identity. Those who oppose our way of life—who glorify violence, excuse terror, or target people simply for who they are—must never be normalised, indulged, or waved away as someone else's problem.

We dishonour the victims if we pretend that harmony is maintained by looking the other way. True harmony requires moral courage. It requires us to say clearly and without hesitation that there is no place in our state for extremism, for antisemitism, for religious hatred, or for movements that thrive on fear and division.

In Ryde, people understand this instinctively. When tragedy strikes—whether locally or beyond our borders—our community responds not with suspicion, but with solidarity. With vigils. With care. With resolve. That is the Australia I know, and that is the Australia worth defending.

Today's condolence motion must be more than ritual. It must be a recommitment. A recommitment to the idea that our diversity is a strength, not a fault line. That our freedoms come with responsibilities. And that defending our way of life sometimes requires us to be unequivocal about what we will not tolerate.

The victims of Bondi were ordinary people going about their lives. They represent the very best of us. We cannot bring them back, but we can honour them by ensuring that the values they lived by—openness, decency, and community—are not eroded by fear.

Let this Parliament be clear-eyed, firm-hearted, and united in the face of this evil. Let us grieve together. Let us stand together. And let us ensure that the Australia we pass on is one that remains open, safe, and uncompromising in its defence of human dignity.

On behalf of the people of Ryde, I offer my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those lost. May their memories be a blessing, and may their lives strengthen our resolve to protect the harmony that defines us.

Ms KYLIE WILKINSON ( East Hills )—What happened at Bondi Beach was shocking, senseless and has left a deep and lasting wound in our national soul. Fifteen innocent people lost their lives, and families were shattered. Friends were left grieving and a place known for light, laughter, and joy became a place of fear and sorrow.

Bondi Beach is a symbol of Australia, both to Australians and those abroad. It is where people from every background walk the same shoreline, swim in the same water, and watch the same sun set over the ocean. It belongs to all of us. I am deeply saddened by this horrific act. What happened in Bondi was not just an attack on individuals. It was an attack on the idea that public spaces should be safe, shared, and free.

In moments like this, it is natural to feel anger. It is natural to look for answers, for blame, for something or someone to point at. But history teaches us that when grief turns into division, when fear turns into suspicion of whole communities, the damage spreads even further.

That is not who we are.

Australia is at its best when we choose unity over division, compassion over fear, and courage over hate. We are a country built on the idea of a fair go. On mateship. On looking out for the person next to us, especially when times are tough.

It does not matter whether you are from Bondi Beach, Revesby Beach on the Georges River, or Tocumwal Beach on the Murray. You are one of us. And when tragedy strikes one part of our community, it strikes us all.

Today, we honour the lives that were lost. Not as headlines or numbers. But as people with stories, families and dreams.

Adam Smyth is remembered as someone who loved his football team, his pets, his family, and his partner Katrina. His family spoke of generosity, kindness, and joy, and closed with words that resonate far beyond football: you'll never walk alone.

Alexander Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor, lived through the unimaginable hardships of World War II and carried a lifetime of resilience, stories, and strength. His life was a testament to endurance and humanity.

Boris and Sofia Gurman are remembered by their family as people of kindness, strength, and unwavering care for others. In the moments before their passing, Boris, with Sofia courageously beside him, tried to intervene to protect others. That instinct to help, even at great personal risk, speaks volumes about who they were.

Boris Tetleroyd is described by his family as a gentle man, a gifted musician, deeply connected to his neighbours and community.

Dan Elkayam is said to have loved life fully, travelling, exploring and connecting with nature. His family said he wanted to do good in the world. That desire alone leaves a legacy.

Edith Brutman is described as a woman of integrity who chose humanity every day. Her family asked that it be her life, not the violence that took it, that endures. That is a powerful request. And one that we should honour.

Marika Pogany, lovingly known as Omi, was remembered as a devoted mother and grandmother who gave 20 years of service to Meals on Wheels, winning the New South Wales Mensch award after hand-delivering 12,000 kosher meals.

Ten-year-old, Matilda was described as someone who loved the outdoors, animals, school and her friends - a ray of light to everyone who met her. So sad to be taken at such a young age.

Peter Meagher, a former police officer is remembered as a cherished brother, husband, and uncle, whose kindness and generosity touched everyone who knew him.

Reuven Morrison, who came to Australia to build a better life for his family and was seen running towards one of the gunmen, is described as a man who "went down fighting, protecting the people that he loved most".

Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a religious leader for 18 years and Corrections New South Wales pastor, is described as a man who worked tirelessly for his community and those in his care.

Rabbi Yaakov Levitan is remembered for serving his community, a man of quiet devotion, known for his kindness and tireless work in assisting others.

Tania Tretiak is remembered as a loved and valued member of the Sydney community, someone whose absence will be deeply felt.

Tibor Weitzen is remembered by his grandson as someone who only saw the best in people, who was proud of his family, and who loved them more than life itself.

We also remember those who were injured. Those whose lives are forever changed. And we remember those who ran towards danger, not away from it. First responders, bystanders and ordinary people who showed extraordinary courage when it mattered most.

Those like Ahmed al-Ahmed who courageously took on one of the gunman, and Probationary Constable, Jack Hibbert who lost vision in one eye on that day after only four months on the job.

That instinct, to help, to protect, to stand together in the worst moments, is the truest expression of who we are as a nation.

So let us be clear about what we choose next.

We choose not to point fingers at whole communities. We choose not to let fear define us. We choose not to allow hatred to fracture the bonds that hold us together.

Instead, we choose to build a stronger, more open society. One where everyone feels safe. One where differences are not feared but understood. One where peace is protected not by suspicion, but by solidarity.

Let us concentrate on what makes us great, not what sets us apart.

Let us honour the spirit of those we lost by living the values they embodied: kindness, courage, generosity, and care for others.

And let us stand together, as Australians, shoulder to shoulder, committed to a future where tragedy does not divide us, but reminds us of our shared humanity.

Mr STEPHEN KAMPER ( Rockdale—Minister for Lands and Property, Minister for Multiculturalism, Minister for Sport, and Minister for Jobs and Tourism)—The past eight days have been some of the most difficult for New South Wales.

What unfolded in Bondi on Sunday 14th December was shattering.

We witnessed horrific events committed by two cowards.

The terrorist attack targeting our Jewish community during the first night of Chanukah was antisemitism at its most evil.

Our hearts are heavy for those injured and for the families and loved ones whose worlds have changed forever.

I joined the community at the funerals for Rabbi Eli, Yaakov, Alex, Boris and Sofia, Tibor, Boris Tetleroyd, Daniel, and 10-year-old Matilda.

And mourned for Reuven, Edith, Marika, Peter, Tania and Adam.

We paid respects to the victims by laying wreaths at the memorial at Bondi Pavillion.

While the attack was undoubtedly targeted at Jewish people peacefully celebrating Chanukah, it also cut through the heart of every Australian.

The sad truth is that this crime has shown us in the most devastating of ways what hate speech leads to.

We never want this to occur within our state or nation again.

New South Wales must always be a safe home for Jewish Australians.

We must do everything we can to eradicate antisemitism in our state.

Our Jewish community has shown extraordinary strength, unity, and resilience

We must stand in unwavering solidarity with them.

Our thoughts are with those recovering in hospital.

When the Premier and I visited one survivor – Yankie – his courage and humour shone through.

Yankie, despite everything, made us remember that those that seek to divide us will never win.

We saw the very best of the Australian spirit, like Ahmed al-Ahmed,14-year-old Chaya Dadon and the local lifesaving club, who rushed to help others in the face of danger.

I'd also like to extend my thanks to our front-line staff at NSW Police and NSW Ambulance.

Collectively, their brave actions embody the very best of our state.

The day after this tragedy, the NSW Government convened the Faith Affairs Council where members expressed their deepest sympathies and re-iterated their solidarity with the Jewish community.

We were reminded that the time for words was over — now is the time for action.

Rabbi Schapiro asked for two things:

To stand with our Australian Jewish community.

To do one mitzvah. An act of kindness. To shine light on darkness.

From this, the NSW Government launched the One Mitzvah for Bondi initiative.

Asking Australians to do one good deed, big or small, in honour of those whose lives were taken, those injured, and all who are suffering.

Every act of kindness matters be it volunteering, donating, giving blood, or checking in on a neighbour.

These simple deeds can collectively create a wave of compassion and healing.

As thousands gathered at Bondi Beach vigil on Sunday 21 December, Rabbi Ulman said the Torah teaches that the greatest way to honour those who are lost is to live a life inspired by their memory.

With each name, he shared a lesson that can be emulated from them.

It's important we incorporate his words in Hansard:

Tania Tretiak wasn't Jewish, yet she came to stand with her husband and the community. Let us show up for one another even when we are different and be allies to those who need us.

Marika Pogany, a tireless volunteer who delivered thousands of meals. Let us care for the elderly, the vulnerable and those that feel forgotten.

Adam Smyth, known for his legendary hospitality. Let us open our homes and our hearts, and make others feel welcome.

Peter 'Marzo' Meagher, a police officer and community leader. Let us commit to service, showing up for others, and giving back to the places we call home.

Dan Elkayam, who was killed by celebrating Judaism on a beautiful day. Let us not postpone what matters, let us live with meaning now. Not someday in the future.

Matilda, a beautiful spirited 10-year-old child, who brought light wherever she went. Let us bring a smile, a sense of pure goodness into the lives of those around us.

Boris Gurman, who bravely attacked and tackled a gunman to protect others. Let us find courage to speak up and act when we see evil and injustice.

Sophia Gurman, who met prejudice with principle. Let us respond to hatred with dignity, humanity, and moral strength.

Alexander Kleytman, a holocaust survivor who died shielding his wife. Let us put the safety and dignity of others before our own comfort.

Tibor Weitzen, who greeted children in our synagogue with a smile and a lollipop. Let us make our community a place where the next generation feels safe, happy and loved.

Boris Tetleroyd, a devoted provider and a gifted musician. Let us work hard for our families and use our talents to bring beauty into the world.

Edith Brutman, a woman of integrity who chose humanity every day. Let our decisions be guided by conscious not convenience.

Reuven Morrison, who fought back with courage, determination and faith. Let us stand firm in what we believe is right.

Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, who chose a life of community service over a lucrative career. Let us put meaning before money, and purpose before profit.

Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who treated every human being as precious. Whether they were a prisoner or Prime Minister, a billionaire or beggar. What he saw was a soul deserving of love. Let us try, each in our own way, to see people as he did.

Rabbi Ulman expressed that we have "a responsibility to continue their light, because darkness is not defeated by anger or evil. Darkness can only be overcome by light. And we should start lighting that darkness not tomorrow, but today."

In the face of violence, we will not be broken.

This motion does not heal the wounds of December 14th.

But it's important that this House commits itself to standing firmly against antisemitism.

Today, tomorrow, and in every moment thereafter.

Ms JENNY LEONG ( Newtown )—I rise to contribute to this condolence motion on behalf of the three Greens members in the Legislative Assembly - and the communities we represent in the electorates of Newtown, Ballina and Balmain.

We offer our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the 15 people murdered in the antisemitic mass shooting in Bondi.

We also want to offer our thoughts to everyone who was injured and impacted by this horrific c act of terror, and give our heartfelt thanks to those brave first responders - health workers, police and others, who put their own lives and wellbeing at risk to come to the aid of others.

Like all in this place, we express our compassion for Jewish community members who have experienced an unimaginable tragedy during what should have been a time of celebration for Chanukah. And we condemn this act of antisemitism and terrorism.

We wish to acknowledge the many Jewish people who live and work in our electorates, and offer our heartfelt sympathy, our unwavering support and our steadfast solidarity in this time of incredible grief.

This attack saw 15 innocent people lose their lives, while many more were injured and so many will live with the impact of this hateful act.

We know that those whose lives were taken included 10-year-old Matilda who was the youngest killed on this awful day. Our thoughts are with Matilda's parents, her friends and her extended family in this incredibly challenging time. We also extend our thoughts to the family and friends of Peter Meagher, Tibor Weitzen, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, Alexander Kleytman, Dan Elkayam, Reuven Morrison, Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, Marika Pogany, Boris and Sofi a Gurman, Adam Smyth, Edith Brutman, Boris Tetleroyd, and Tania Tretiak. Our thoughts are with all victims of this attack, and with everyone who has tragically lost a loved one. With all those who will live with this trauma.

The Jewish community deserves to feel safe. Everyone, regardless of their cultural or religious background should have the confidence to come together and celebrate, without fear of attack, without fear of being targeted for how they worship or indeed who they are. Antisemitism and hate have no place in our community, and they cannot be tolerated.

We know the impacts of an attack of this scale will be felt throughout the Jewish community and all communities across Australia. These attacks are intended to stoke fear, and to create division. They are designed to breed hate, and to make people feel less safe. But we cannot let that happen. In moments like this, it's so important that we come together with compassion, reject hate in all its forms, and look out for one another.

In the aftermath of this horrific attack, many people have demonstrated how we can come through this together. We saw incredible strength and bravery from first responders and from everyday people who risked their lives to help save others. We thank those who attempted to disarm the gunmen, those who assisted those who had been shot and all the frontline responders - paramedics, nurses, doctors, police, psychologists, counsellors, faith leaders and others - who did so much at the scene and who have continued to do so much in the days that have followed.

We saw an outpouring of support with people queuing for hours to donate blood to support victims; with Lifeblood noting that donations following the attack surpassed all previous records. We have seen people from diverse faiths and cultural backgrounds standing side by side at vigils to remember those whose lives were taken. We can and must come through this terrible event stronger, and more together as a community.

Once again, I extend our deepest sympathies to the victims and all those impacted by the antisemitic attack in Bondi. We stand alongside the Jewish community and will work to ensure that antisemitism and hate in all its forms has no place. I know we can come through this together, with care and compassion for one another.

Now is not the time for divisive rhetoric and political mudslinging. Now is the time for acts of kindness and connection with one another.

We pledge to work with people across the community, alongside experts and advocates, over the coming months and years as we come to understand all drivers of this atrocity and what we need to do as a society to prevent it ever happening again.

Having been in contact with Jewish community leaders and members in our local communities it is clear that many are still in a state of shock. It is clear that the ramifications of this act of terror will manifest in so many different hurtful and grief-filled ways. We stand ready to provide practical solidarity and support to those impacted now and into the future.

The Greens have always been committed to human rights and to peace, we are committed to continuing to foster care, compassion and connection in our communities. We must not let this horrifying act fuel further hatred and violence. Take care of each other and yourself in these most confronting of times.

Ms JULIA FINN ( Granville )—On what should have been a beautiful warm Sunday afternoon, on 14 December the peace and happiness of our beautiful city was destroyed by a terrorist attack on what should have been a happy gathering for the first night of Hanukkah at Bondi beach. Bondi is not just Australia's most famous beach that symbolises our beautiful open and egalitarian society, it has been home to many in the Jewish community since they came to Australia.

I offer my deepest condolences and those of the Granville electorate to the families and friends of those killed - Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 10-year-old Matilda, Peter Meagher, Tibor Weitzen, Dan Elkayam, Alex Kleytman – an 87-year-old holocaust survivor, Reuven Morrison, Marika Pogany, Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, Sofia Gurman, Boris and Edith Brutman, Boris Tetleroyd, Adam Smyth and Tania Tretiak.

Last Tuesday I visited the heartbreaking scene and laid a wreath to offer my condolences along with the Mayor of Cumberland and the Members for Auburn, Liverpool and Leppington.

That Sunday we saw the worst of humanity but in response we saw the best – people who ran towards danger to help strangers including Ahmed al-Ahmed, a Syrian Muslim refugee who was shot tackling and disarming one of the alleged terrorists. And since then we have seen over 40,000 people donate blood, a mountain of flowers left at Bondi and a flood of donations to those affected by this tragedy.

We all expect to be able to gather with our friends, families and communities in peace and safety. I want to thank the Premier for acting with strength and agility to reconvene Parliament today to commence our response to this tragedy.

On Sunday 14th, I went to the dog park Christmas party so my dog could have his photo taken with Santapaws, then I went to Christmas carols outside the Anglican church in Guildford. I was there as the first news alerts came through and the terrifying thought hit me, any community could be a target. But last Sunday as so often has been the case, the Jewish community was the target.

There's much we don't know about the motivation of the alleged murderers. We do know that they allegedly carried ISIS flags and that subsequently Islamic State has claimed responsibility for influencing the horrific act.

I understand that one of the alleged gunmen was on an ASIO watch list due to his association with known Islamic State supporters dating back to 2019.

Over more than a decade, Islamic State has carried out or influenced multiple attacks on prominent locations worldwide targeting the Jewish community. IS is responsible for the deaths of thousands of people around the world especially Muslims who don't subscribe to their hateful aberrant Islamist ideology. Make no mistake, IS hasn't been an advocate for the Palestinian cause and is largely responsible for killing or displacing 160,000 Palestinian refugees from the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp on the outskirts of Damascus. But the group they hate the most is the Jewish community and their dissemination of hateful antisemitic misinformation, disinformation and propaganda is well known.

This incident is the most recent in a series of escalating violent antisemitic crimes since 7 October 2023 that have terrified the Jewish community. I reached out to my oldest Jewish friend last week and she told me that her family hasn't felt safe wearing their star of David necklaces during this time. She is someone who has Muslims married into her family and who has always believed deeply in working towards peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

There has been normalisation of antisemitic and Islamophobic views and statements. There's a level of wholly unjustified validation of these views from witnessing the horror inflicted by Hamas or that inflicted in response by Israel. This validation is amplified enormously by the algorithms on social media. It's more complex than the link drawn to protests for peace that always include members of the Jewish community itself like the Jewish Council of Australia and Jews Against the Occupation.

The growing level of fear is well understood in my community. In particular, the Muslim community are expressing their absolute disgust and horror at the terror attack and their sympathies and solidarity with the Jewish community, but also their fear now to go to the beach or to gather as a community. The amount of graffiti and online hate directed at them is hard to comprehend.

This hurt and fear is compounded by vile anti-immigration rally after anti-immigration rally where Islamophobic signs are displayed. Yesterday's unauthorised anti-immigration rally certainly did, despite the most loved highly publicised hero last Sunday being a Syrian Muslim.

Every anti-immigration rally is a gross insult to the hard working, peaceful community I represent where the majority of people were born overseas, many coming here to flee war and persecution to find peace. Australia is also now home to thousands of people who like Ahmed, fled countries or regions where Islamic State had seized power.

Instead of this division, we need more education and more support for interfaith dialogue and understanding to restore social cohesion. We pride ourselves on being the most successful multicultural nation on earth and we can't let these two murderers destroy that. We must rebuild it.

Last night I joined "Light Up The West" for the last night of Hanukkah, an important event to bring together the Jewish community and others to commemorate the 15 people who were killed, organised by Rabbi Roni Cohavi from Parramatta Synagogue. After the Menorah was lit, I was honoured to light a candle in memory of Rabbi Yaakov Levitan. It was a beautiful event and I hope, the start of a better future built on the efforts of those who act in good faith, not living in fear of those who act in bad faith.

Mr JAMES WALLACE ( Hornsby )—On behalf of the Hornsby community, I extend our heartfelt condolences to all those who lost their lives, and to everyone affected by the terrorist attack at Bondi.

This tragic and evil event is heartbreaking.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the Jewish community.

We acknowledge all those first responders including police, paramedics, surf lifesavers, the volunteers from the Community Security Group, Community Health Support and all those that put themselves at risk or helped someone in need.

We need a united commitment by this Parliament to preventing further violence and to confronting the rise of antisemitism in our state. We must be clear in condemning extremists that drive hatred and terror, here and around the world.

It is now undeniable that Sydney has been scarred by antisemitism over the past two years — with more frequent, more visible, and more brazen attacks.

The violence at Bondi, which occurred during Chanukah, was an attack on the Jewish community. It was also an attack on all Australians.

The Hornsby community stands with the Jewish community, and with all Australians, in grief and in resolve.

Mr PAUL TOOLE ( Bathurst )—On behalf of the Bathurst Electorate, I want to convey my sincerest condolences to the innocent victims of this horrific crime, to the endless string of families and friends who have been affected, to the children involved that have lost their innocence and to the communities that will never be the same. Bondi Beach, an icon of Australia, now has bloodstained memories that will never be washed away.

The Bondi terror attack is the type of moment in history that people will remember when it happened, where they were when they first heard about it, and what the government did in response.

Not since Port Arthur has our country stood still as the news of an active shooter situation rang through every street, every household, every radio and TV station. We witnessed evil in its purest form. The first night of Hanukkah was a festival of light that has now become one of the darkest days in Australia history.

But even in the darkest of times there is light. That light came in the form of your regular civilians turning into heroes within seconds of gunfire opening up. The stories that have been shared of lifeguards going above and beyond, people shielding vulnerable children, and of course those who confronted and fought the attackers with their bare hands or whatever was within arm's reach. This is the legacy we need to remember. In a moment of crisis, they stood firm, protected others, and reminded us all of the vital role we all play in keeping our community safe.

For the first responders, thank you doesn't feel like enough. One word doesn't cover the immense gratitude this entire country feels towards your courage, professionalism and public service. We are forever indebted to each and every one of you.

Along with paramedics, lifeguards, Fire Rescue, SES and other emergency services NSW Police officers responded immediately, placing themselves in harm's way to secure the area and prevent further danger. Their ability to act calmly under extreme pressure reflects the high level of training, discipline, and commitment that defines our world class force.

Beyond the immediate response, NSW Police have continued to work tirelessly in the aftermath of the attack—supporting victims and families, coordinating emergency services, and maintaining a visible presence to reassure the community. And of course, conducting a thorough investigation as to how this catastrophe occurred and what we can do to never see this happen again. Their compassion and professionalism during this period reminded us that policing is not only about enforcement, but also about care, empathy, and service.

On behalf of the community, we acknowledge and thank the NSW Police Force for their bravery and dedication. Their actions at Bondi exemplify the values of service above self and reinforce the trust placed in them by the people of New South Wales.

The two perpetrators of this deeply abhorrent attack are nothing but monsters. They are also idiots. Idiots for thinking an attack like this on any Australian would further their cause instead of uniting Australians and humans from across the globe against them. This was an utterly unnecessary loss of life and I like many others am enraged at the actions of these grotesque individuals. We as a country, have joined together, arm in arm to stand with the Jewish community. We will one by one remove hate from the hearts of those that discriminate and sweep our streets clean of any trace of antisemitism and bigotry. It won't happen overnight, but day by day, generation by generation we will find a way to live together in harmony and in peace. There is simply no place for terror in Australia.

For the record, I'd like to acknowledge by name the fifteen victims to ensure they are committed to Hansard and their sacrifice is never forgotten.

-Boris and Sofia Gurman

-Rabbi Eli Schlanger

-Edith Brutman

-Boris Tetleroyd

-Adam Smyth

-Markia Pogany

-Dan Elkayam

-Peter Meagher

-Tibor Weitzen

-Reuven Morrison

-Rabbi Yaakov Levitan

-Alexander Kleytman

-Tania Tretiak

-And of course our youngest victim Matilda.

This was fifteen innocent individuals enjoying a summers afternoon at Sunday with their community. Summer Sunday afternoons are an Australian tradition, Bondi Beach is the most iconic place to carry out this tradition. It pains me deeply to see the heartbreak, the grief and the sheer rage that last Sunday's events have created. However, I have no doubt that we will overcome this, and we will be stronger for it. I end by reiterating my deepest condolences to the families of the 15 innocent victims, their grieving communities and to Australia as a whole who will never forget Bondi Beach at 6:47pm on Sunday 14 December 2025.

Mrs TANYA THOMPSON ( Myall Lakes )—I rise today to speak on this condolence motion following the terrorist attack at Bondi, an act of extreme violence that has shaken our nation and left an indelible mark on the Australian community.

We mourn the 15 innocent lives lost in this attack. Each of those lives mattered. Each was loved. Each leaves behind grieving families, friends and communities who now carry a profound and enduring loss. No words can adequately capture the depth of sorrow felt by those closest to the victims, and today this House extends its deepest sympathy to them.

What occurred at Bondi was an act of deliberate, targeted violence motivated by hatred. It was not random. It was an attack on people going about their daily lives, and it struck at the heart of our shared sense of safety, decency and humanity. The brutality of this act has rightly horrified Australians and drawn universal condemnation.

Moments like this force us to confront uncomfortable truths. They strip away any illusion that hatred and extremism are distant or abstract threats. This attack occurred in a public place, in broad daylight, in one of Australia's most recognisable locations. It reminded us that no community is immune, and that the consequences of hatred are immediate, devastating and deeply personal.

This has been an especially painful time for the Jewish community. To be targeted because of faith is abhorrent. No person in Australia should ever feel unsafe because of who they are or what they believe. Freedom of religion is not a privilege; it is a fundamental right, and it must be defended without hesitation or qualification.

At the same time, this tragedy has affected all Australians. Many people have struggled to process what they saw, what they heard, and what it means for our society. Parents have faced difficult conversations with their children. Communities have gathered in grief, disbelief and solidarity. The emotional impact has rippled far beyond Bondi itself.

In the days following the attack, we saw fear, anger and sorrow, but we also saw compassion. We saw people reach out to one another. We saw vigils held, flowers laid, and quiet acts of kindness offered to strangers. These moments remind us that while acts of hatred can cause immense harm, they do not define who we are as a nation.

I want to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of first responders and frontline workers. Police officers, paramedics, surf life savers, doctors, nurses and hospital staff acted swiftly and selflessly in circumstances that were confronting and traumatic. They ran toward danger to protect others. They provided care, comfort and professionalism in the most challenging conditions imaginable. Their actions saved lives and upheld the values of service and courage that Australians rightly admire.

We also acknowledge those members of the public who assisted others in moments of chaos and fear. These acts of bravery and humanity remind us that even in the darkest moments, people can choose to help, to protect and to stand together.

This attack has rightly prompted serious reflection. It demands that we remain vigilant in confronting extremism and hatred wherever it appears. It also requires that we respond thoughtfully and responsibly, guided by evidence, by respect for civil liberties, and by a clear commitment to community safety. We must be careful not to allow fear to fracture our society or to turn communities against one another.

The most powerful response to terrorism is unity. Terrorism seeks to divide, to intimidate and to undermine trust. We defeat it not only through law enforcement and security measures, but by refusing to let hatred dictate our values or our behaviour. We defeat it by standing firm in our commitment to pluralism, tolerance and mutual respect.

From Myall Lakes to Bondi, communities across New South Wales felt the impact of this attack. People paused, reflected and came together to mourn lives lost far from their own towns and streets. That shared response matters. It demonstrates that grief is not confined by geography, and that solidarity is one of our greatest strengths.

In honouring those who were killed, we must commit ourselves to building a society where such acts are neither normalised nor excused. We must ensure that people of all faiths and backgrounds feel safe, valued and respected. And we must support those who have been directly affected, not only in the immediate aftermath, but in the long months and years of recovery that follow.

Condolence motions are moments of reflection, but they are also moments of resolve. They remind us of our responsibility as leaders and representatives to uphold the values that bind us together. Compassion, fairness, courage and unity must guide our response now and into the future.

Today, we remember those who lost their lives. We honour their memory by standing against hatred in all its forms. And we reaffirm our commitment to an Australia where difference is not feared, faith is respected, and violence has no place.

May the families of the victims find comfort in the knowledge that a nation mourns with them. May those who were injured recover with the full support of our communities. And may we, as Australians, continue to stand together—resolute, united and determined that hatred will never prevail.

Mr STEPHEN BALI ( Blacktown )—Sunday 14th December 2025 will be recorded in history as a day of profound sadness for our State and Nation as a terrorist attack that attempted to destroy the social cohesion of our community.

We mourn the fifteen (15) innocent lives lost in the terrorist attack on our Jewish community as well as others who gathered on Bondi Beach.

People gathered on the evening of Sunday 14th December on Bondi Beach, as locals enjoying a pleasant evening; or tourists being on an iconic beach; or as so many times before, location for cultural or religious events celebrating their feast day.

Unbeknown to the crowds, two (2) people with alleged evil intent, wanting to reign death and destruction particularly on the Jewish community celebrating Hanukkah, the festival of lights.

We remember the fifteen (15) beautiful souls that were tragically taken away from us. They will never be able to share with their family, friends and community their wonderful wit, acts of kindness or sharing their stories of their life journey.

Matilda, the youngest at ten (10), often referred to as a ray of light to everyone who she met. She had her life before her but was violently taken away from us. A pure soul who surely must be in heaven today.

It is profoundly sad to hear the other wonderful stories of all who died. Boris Tetleroyd the musician; Marika Pogany a community service award recipient; Tibor Weitzen died as a hero shielding others from the attack; Reuven Morrison running towards the gun armed with only a brick; Alex Kleytman, 87 years old, a Holocaust survivor; Peter Meagher a former police officer; Adam Smyth, a sports lover and father of four; Dan Elkayam a French national; Tania Tretiak at 68 celebrating Chanukah with her family; Edith Brutman a cherished community leader and antidiscrimination champion; and, Sofia and Boris Gurman who first noticed the gunmen and went to disarm them and this husband and wife team, who did everything together, tragically died together becoming the first victims of this terrible crime.

Rabbi Yaakov Levitan and Rabbi Eli Schlanger, both died as they performed their religious duties. Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a Corrections New South Wales pastor, who saw the good in troubled souls in prison and supported them to change their lives for good n their release from prison. Rabbi Yaakov Levitan deeply devoted to his community organising events and supporting their religious journey.

Clearly, each person that died played a cherished and important role in our community. Losing these blessed souls has profoundly impacted their families but also had a substantial ripple effect across our community.

There were scores of many others who were shot and injured. Together with their families, friends and community; we continue to pray for their recovery.

We, as a community, must step up and help our Jewish brothers and sisters in their hour of need. An attack on anyone one part of our community is an attack on the entire community.

We must do all we can to ensure this will never happen again.

Whilst a government can change laws and have police administering and protecting the community, but it is up to every person to watch out for each other and stamp out racism, antisemitic or any other forms of discrimination and hatred. These forms of behaviours must be eradicated.

Australia is the most successful multicultural nations in the world. The harmony and enhanced values brought to Australia through the tapestry of races and religions is our great and enduring success and these tragic events should not set us back.

This is a difficult time as we mourn the dead. New South Wales must retake the lead in defining a truly successful modern Australia that builds the wealth multiculturalism and multireligious faiths.

The fifteen innocent lives must not have been lost in vain. A good deed must come out of this suffering. This on terrible event must not define who we are as a nation.

The best of humanity was also on show through these horrific events as we saw people run towards danger as the shots rang out. Lifesavers, off-duty police, and civilians, on hearing gun shots, were running towards danger with first aid kits and assisting injured people or even putting themselves in the line of fire whilst protecting children from harm's way.

Doctors, nurses and paramedics ran to work to provide support as the injured were ferried to the hospitals.

Thousands of people lined up to donate blood at Redcross centres to provide much need blood for operations.

As Premier Chris Minns said in his condolences speech, "We are kind, tolerant, loving people, and yes, we've got every reason to despair right now, but Australia has been a land of hope, not least for the Jewish migrants who found a home and a sanctuary here for decades."

For the Jewish people in our State, this your home and you are our brothers and sisters. We share your pain. I know together, we will stamp out hatred. Let Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights stamp out the dark hatred from every corner of our society and replace it with peace and goodwill to each other as we strive for a modern caring society.

Mr JUSTIN CLANCY ( Albury )—I seek to make a contribution to the condolence motion following the horrific and deeply distressing attack in Bondi.

Like so many Australians, the people of the Albury Electorate have been shocked and saddened by what unfolded. Our thoughts are with the victims, those who have been injured, and the families and loved ones now facing unimaginable grief.

We also acknowledge the first responders — police, paramedics and medical staff — who ran towards danger in order to save lives.

Moments like this leave a nation searching for words. They also leave many Australians asking hard questions about who we are, and how we respond when confronted by violence and hatred.

Earlier this year, during a debate in this Parliament on antisemitism, I quoted the words of Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl, who said: "Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms — to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way." I also quoted another survivor, Eddie Jaku, who urged us: "Just walk beside me and be my friend."

Those words resonate deeply today. Because at times like this, each of us — as individuals, as leaders, and as a nation — has a choice. A choice between fear and solidarity. Between division and humanity.

The Jewish community across Australia, including families in regional communities like Albury-Wodonga, is hurting. Antisemitism does not only wound those directly targeted — it corrodes the moral fabric of our entire society. To the Jewish community, I say clearly and unambiguously: you are not alone. We walk beside you.

That message carries particular meaning in my electorate. Our region is proudly associated with two of Australia's most significant Jewish figures: Sir Isaac Isaacs and Sir John Monash. Both men were shaped by this region, and both went on to shape our nation.

Sir Isaac Isaacs, Australia's first Australian-born Governor-General, was a jurist of profound integrity who believed deeply in justice, equality and the rule of law. Sir John Monash, one of our greatest military leaders, exemplified service, discipline and devotion to country — and did so while never denying who he was or where he came from.

Their lives stand as powerful reminders that Australia's strength lies in its diversity, and that contribution to our nation has never depended on faith, background or origin, but on character and commitment.

Bondi is more than a suburb. It is one of Australia's most recognisable and cherished landmarks — a place synonymous with openness, diversity and community. For generations, Bondi has represented the best of Australia to ourselves and to the world: a place where people from every background gather, where difference is ordinary, and where the everyday rhythms of life are shared freely and openly. That such violence occurred there has shaken Australians far beyond Sydney. It has cut into our collective sense of safety and belonging.

As Hanukkah reminds us, as Rabbi Zalman of Liadi taught, a little bit of light dispels a lot of darkness. In the aftermath of such violence, we must choose to be that light — through our words, our actions, and our resolve to stand together.

Ms DONNA DAVIS ( Parramatta )—At 6.47pm on Sunday 14th December, scores of people came together with their pooches at the annual Santa Paws event at Dan Mahoney Dog Park – an opportunity for the community to have a Santa photo taken with their dogs and family.

At that very same time residents right across New South Wales were meeting up in public parks for birthdays, reunions, Christmas parties, family bbqs, romantic picnics or Christmas Carols.

Across the other side of our city in Archer Park families and friends had gathered for a Bah Mitzvah while hundreds of others came together for Chanukah by the Sea with a Giant Menorah Lighting.

Instead of the lighting of candles, the lights went out.

Within minutes the lives of fifteen innocent men, women and children were extinguished leaving our state and our nation in darkness and distress.

Sofia Gurman

Boris Gurman

Edith Brutman

Matilda

Boris Tetleroyd

Marika Pogany

Tibor Weitzen

Reuven Morrison

Alex Kleytman

Peter Meagher

Adam Smyth

Dan Elkayam

Tania Tretiak

Rabbi Eli Schlanger

Rabbi Yaakov Levitan

I extend my condolences to the families, friends and all who are grieving from the senseless loss of these lives.

On the invitation of Rabbi Roni Cohavi, on Sunday night I attended a community Chanukah event and vigil at the Parramatta Synagogue that provided our local Jewish community an opportunity to come together to light the Chanukah menorah, stand in solidarity and support one another. It was healing to sit and chat, joining in a barbecue dinner and donut.

We were invited to light a candle in memory of those who were killed. I lit a candle for Marika Pogany, a devoted mother, a grandmother and a treasured friend to many. At 82 years of age Marika, like thousands of Australians, was a volunteer who was recognised with the New South Wales Mensch award for hand delivering 12,000 kosher Meals on Wheels during her 20 years of service to the community.

Marika came to Australia in 1968 from Czechoslovakia with her son Romy and brother Ivan, becoming a citizen in 1972. Her family said "she embraced her life as an Aussie from that point on. She was very proud of her country."

It was that Aussie spirit that delivered hope when darkness fell on Bondi. It was seen in the bravery of by-standers who protected the children or who jumped into action to assist the wounded, the dazed and dying.

It was seen in the professionalism of our first responders – NSW Police, NSW Ambulance, Surf Life Savers.

It was seen in the eyes of the shopkeepers who harboured the confused and scared fleeing for safety wherever they could find it.

And that Aussie spirit was seen in our hospitals where, as the Premier recounted today, "those that work in our big public hospitals, who, at the drop of a hat, ran into work to receive the injured, the wounded and the dead…They were absolutely incredible… Not one call had to be made to any of the senior surgeons, they were there almost immediately, having seen the news on television, knowing there'd be a mass casualty count."

That is the definition of Aussie spirit - true public service and commitment to the people of New South Wales.

Last Tuesday I gathered at a vigil in Harris Park as an act of unity. A retired doctor played the National Anthem on his saxophone and we placed candles and flowers on the Wigram Street corner in the presence of members of the Cumberland Police Area Command. It was a casual gathering, but it held deep meaning because this primarily South Asian crowd wanted to show their support for the Jewish community and display their care, concern and wish for calm.

I attended a second vigil in Parramatta that same night hosted by the Hindu Council of Australia. Again, a casual gathering but the message from so many I spoke to was the same – we have seen this non-sensical, hatred driven assault on innocent civilians overseas and we do not want this to become a part of Australia's way of life.

We are a nation that prides itself on being one and free. With unity and determination, we can continue to be that place but unless we come together to support our Jewish Australians at this time when they are frightened, grieving and tired of feeling unwelcome in their own country we will have failed.

The unthinkable happened at Bondi on 14 December but the good on that day must overcome the evil. Those displays of heroism of the highest order are what we as a state and a nation must strive for. Where humanity is prioritised and our differences are tolerated.

No-one should feel isolated or ridiculed because of their religion, culture, gender, age, disability or ethnicity.

We must stand in unity and call out anti-semitism and all religious intolerance for the cowardly act it is so that we can overcome this dark shadow that has been cast over us.

Governor General, Sam Mostyn said it so eloquently. We need "care, kindness, compassion to each other, Jewish or otherwise. Everyone in this country belongs. It's time now to step up and unite because the rest of the world knows that we are a shining light of what peace and democracy looks like, where everyone belongs."

Together we must stand as one to be the light that endures even in the darkest moments.

Mr BRENDAN MOYLAN ( Northern Tablelands )—The communities of the Northern Tablelands mourn the innocent lives taken in a brutal and senseless attack at Bondi, lives stolen not by chance, but by hatred. What we witnessed in Bondi was a horrific act of mass violence that has brought great sadness to all Australians. We all stand together to condemn this terrible act, we all stand together to heal and remember those killed. What we saw was shocking and evil.

It will leave a permanent and deep scar on our nation.

It has been an awful week, not just for the Jewish community in Sydney, but for all Australians. Trying to explain, and come to terms with, what happened has been difficult, for all of us.

I really struggled trying to explain what had happened to my kids. Having to sit down and explain to a nine-year-old girl why 15 people were killed because of their religion in Australia is not a discussion you ever expect to have as a dad here in our country.

Extremism, hatred and division have no place in Australia. As Australians, we're at our best when we are united, when we reject hatred, and when we reject division.

I would also like to acknowledge and thank the emergency personnel. The police and paramedics who ran towards the danger to help the injured, the doctors, nurses and hospital staff who worked tirelessly and showed great compassion to help, care for and be there for the victims, their families and all those affected by this senseless act.

I don't think peace is a lofty goal for us to have, but rather it's something we should strive to. That is when we are at our best.

We achieve it in our interactions with each other, in how we act towards each other, in how we speak to each other, in how we come together as a community,

No one should ever feel threatened or unsafe because of their faith, and every Australian should be free to practice their chosen religion without fear.

If there is to be a galvanising effect from this tragedy, then the first step must be to show our overt sympathy and our unwavering support for our Jewish brothers and sisters. The second, and most important step, is to support one another as a community.

Although we were hundreds of kilometres away, communities across the Northern Tablelands still felt the effects of the Bondi terror attack. This was evident as we came together to stand in solidarity and mourn the loss of fellow Australians in a senseless act of violence.

The tragic events of last weekend are a stark reminder that we are not in heaven yet, the world is marred by human sinfulness but now is the time for the community to come together, to support one another, and to show that even in the face of tragedy, we will not be divided.

We must honour the victims not through anger or division but by standing together.

Dr JOE McGIRR ( Wagga Wagga )—On behalf of myself and my electorate, I wish to express my sincere condolences to the victims, their families and the Jewish community at the atrocity committed by two cowardly men with guns at Bondi, just days ago.

As Australians, we are united in grief at this murderous attack on Australia's Jewish community.

At such a time, it is easy to despair. Words can fail us as we try to come to terms with this awful culmination of a series of antisemitic attacks on innocent people who committed no crime – murdered without mercy in a horrifying desecration of their right as Australians to live without fear of persecution because of religion, race or belief.

My heart goes out to the Jewish community who are left reeling in mourning, consumed by despair, and angry that this atrocity should occur here in what was – and I hope will still yet be – a safe and tolerant national community that stands for decency, unity and fairness.

Our Jewish community may never be the same; indeed our nation was changed forever in a few terrifying moments of violence.

Because while it was Jews who were murdered for their faith, the attack at Bondi was an attack on all Australians, an attack on what it means to be Australian and a desecration of everything we hold dear.

It is hard to find light in such a dark time, but I hope we can find some comfort in the national outpouring of grief that shows we are united in compassion for the victims and determination that it must never be allowed to happen again.

I am heartened by the bravery of those heroes who ran not from danger but towards it, risking and even losing their lives to save others.

Our nation is united in gratitude to Ahmed al Ahmed – a Syrian-born Muslim – who did not hesitate to disarm the gunman, with no thought but to simply to save the lives of his countrymen.

Mr Ahmed has stated that "Australia is the best country on earth' and in those words, that love of country, that affection for community, and respect for the values and laws that define us, I hope we can find further comfort in knowing that the overwhelming majority of us are good and kind and decent – and that ancient hatreds have no place in our tolerant and inclusive society.

There were other heroes at Bondi. People who reacted instinctively to protect their loved ones or strangers because it was the right thing to do. Sadly, some of their heroes paid the ultimate price for their courage and their loss leaves a pall of sadness that will endure – and must endure to ensure their sacrifice will never be forgotten.

My thoughts are also with the first responders who put their lives on the line in brave defiance of the horror that was erupting around them; the police heroes who took down the shooters and put themselves in harm's way; the paramedics and health workers who tended to the horrifically wounded – even while under fire – and saved an incalculable number of innocent lives; the surf lifesavers who ran into danger; the everyday men and women who shielded children, or provided lifesaving first aid, or bravely did what they could to slow the gunmen and allow others a chance of survival; the doctors, nurses, allied health and other professionals in our hospitals who came in without delay to work all night and through the ensuing days to save lives.

These people, these heroes, represent the true nature of Australians and although too many paid a shattering price, they offer us hope and belief in that essential goodness that defines us.

Amidst the grief and anger, I am heartened by words of love from one man who could be excused for instead being overwhelmed by rage and despair.

Rabbi Eli Feldman, in deep mourning for his people and his dear friend, Rabbi Eli Schlanger who was among those murdered, offered hope to all when he said:

"No matter the colour of your skin or what you believe, we are all created in God's image, every single human being is created in God's image. Let us love each other. Let us care about each other."

There were similar words at a vigil for the victims just 24 hours after the attack, when Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins, told the grieving crowd:

"So many in our Jewish community have received messages of love from leaders in different faith communities, from Palestinian friends and friends around this country, and in so doing, we are now learning we are all just flesh and blood, and we are all also the light."

Moments later, Rabbi Kamins was embraced by Bilal Rauf, an adviser to the Australian National Imams Council, who offered "deep heartbreak and condolences" to the Jewish community.

Mr Speaker, that embrace sends a powerful message – a message that light will triumph over darkness and hope will replace despair even as we reckon with a tragedy that will change us forever.

As a nation we are searching for that light, a light that glimmered in the thousands of candles lit for the victims at vigils across the nation, including a poignant gathering in my hometown of Wagga where faith and community leaders united with 250 community members in compassion and sadness.

I know that that light will yet burn stronger within us all. United we stand in condemnation of terror and violence, and although the trauma will last, we will face it together and we are strong.

As Australians together, we will ensure the forces of good will overwhelm the powers of evil - and although we may never be the same, the light that sustains us will shine through the darkness and guide us towards a future without hatred.

Mr PHILIP DONATO ( Orange )—Today, we come together in profound grief to acknowledge the lives lost in the violent and senseless events that occurred at Bondi. We mourn not only those who were taken too soon, but we also recognise the deep and lasting impact on all who were injured, and on the families, friends and loved ones whose lives have been forever changed.

This tragedy has left parents grieving children, children grieving parents, and families mourning siblings, partners and friends. Our hearts are with each and every person who now carries this loss, as well as with those who continue to endure physical and psychological injuries as a result of these events. Their pain is shared by communities across New South Wales and throughout our nation.

Bondi is a place long associated with openness, safety and shared community life. That such devastating violence occurred there has sent shockwaves far beyond its shores. The sorrow felt by the Bondi community has been echoed across the state, as people everywhere struggle to comprehend how a place so familiar and welcoming could be touched by such tragedy.

Yesterday in Orange, members of our community gathered at a candlelight vigil to honour those who lost their lives. In quiet reflection, candles were lit, names were remembered, and people stood side by side in solidarity and compassion. That vigil was a powerful reminder that even in moments of deep sorrow, our communities come together — to grieve, to support one another, and to affirm our shared humanity.

My community conveys its deep respect and gratitude for the courage, skill and compassion shown by first responders, emergency service workers, health professionals and hospital staff. Acting swiftly and selflessly in dangerous and confronting circumstances, they embodied the very best of public service. We also acknowledge the bravery and kindness of members of the public who came to the aid of others, offering reassurance and help amid fear and uncertainty.

This House unequivocally condemns violence in all its forms. Such acts will not define who we are, nor will they erode the values of care, respect and solidarity that unite the people of New South Wales. In the face of hatred and harm, we choose compassion, unity and resolve.

We reaffirm our commitment to the safety and wellbeing of everyone in this state, and to ensuring that those affected by this tragedy have access to appropriate and ongoing support — including health care, counselling services and community-based assistance — for as long as they are needed.

We honour those who lost their lives by standing together, by supporting those who grieve, and by committing to learn from this tragedy in the pursuit of a safer future for all.

On behalf of all the people of the Orange electorate, we express our deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of the victims and the communities of Bondi and the Eastern Suburbs so deeply impacted by this terrible tragedy.

Ms STEPHANIE DI PASQUA ( Drummoyne )—Speaker, I rise to make a small contribution to this motion of condolence. I do so on behalf of my community. The people of the Drummoyne electorate express our deepest condolences to the victims and families of the Bondi terrorist attack on Sunday 14 December. I put on record that we stand in solidarity with the Jewish community.

Earlier today we heard beautiful speeches from the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition. I say wholeheartedly that I agree with the sentiments expressed by the two leaders of our state.

What occurred at Bondi Beach just 8 days ago is something our state will carry forever.

It was an act of terror that stole innocent lives, traumatised families and bystanders, and shattered the peace of one of the most familiar and loved places in our country. It struck at the Bondi community, but it also struck at the idea of Australia as a place of safety and belonging. I say to the Jewish and Bondi communities, we stand with you. We reject this atrocity unequivocally, and we reject antisemitism unequivocally.

Today, in this Parliament we mourn, just as our community are mourning. We are all still grappling with the gravity of what took place two Sundays ago.

We remember the fifteen precious souls we lost that day.

Sofia and Boris Gurman. Rabbi Eli Schlanger. Edith Brutman. Boris Tetleroyd. 10 year old Matilda

Peter Meagher. Dan Elkayam. Reuven Morrison. Tibor Weitzen. Alexander Kleytman. Rabbi Yaakov Levitan. Adam Smith. And Tania Tretiak.

Fifteen innocent souls.

Behind every name is a life of meaning. A family, friendships, memories, plans for the future. Their lives will not defined by how they died, but in how they lived and we have heard some beautiful stories and backgrounds about these precious souls. Their stories are Australian stories. May their stories be forever told.

Stories of people who came here in search of opportunity and safety. Stories of hard work, of lifelong, committed and selfless service to others. Stories of loving families,

stories of hope. Each of them made the world around them brighter. May their memories be a blessing.

To the families and loved ones who are grieving. There are no words that can lessen your pain. But please know that as Members of Parliament, we stand with you, and that the communities we represent stand with you too.

This terrorist attack has caused deep and lasting harm to the Jewish community in New South Wales and across Australia. We heard that at last night's memorial and from leaders in the days following the attack.

This was an act of hatred directed at people because they were Jewish.

To the Jewish community, I am so sorry. It has no place in Australia.

Anti-Semitism is evil. Violent Islamic extremism is evil. And hatred, when it is tolerated, excused or ignored in our society turns into harmful violence. It must be called out and overcome. There is no place for it in modern multicultural Australia.

I take this opportunity to acknowledge the leadership of the Jewish community and its leaders at this time. On Friday I visited the memorial site at Bondi Pavillion to lay flowers on behalf of our community. I met Rabbi Mendel and Rabbetzin Chaya Slavin from Cremorne Synagogue. They were so kind and welcoming of me. When I asked them how they were doing, they spoke about knowing the victims and how important their duty was to look after their community. I hope they both take their own time to heal as the grace they showed will always stay with me.

Amid the horror of what happened at Bondi just 8 days ago, we also witnessed extraordinary humanity.

We owe an immense debt of gratitude to the first responders, surf lifesaving volunteers, paramedics, police, and members of the public who ran towards danger without hesitation and without regard for their own safety to help strangers in need. Their courage reminds us of the values that truly define Australia.

I also thank the doctors and nurses from hospitals across Sydney who worked tirelessly on the Sunday night and in the days following to save and help as many as they could.

To Ahmed al-Ahmed, may God bless you. We thank you for your courageous actions and wish you a speedy recovery.

Eradicating antisemitism requires leadership, education, and moral clarity. It requires each and every one of us to call out hatred wherever it appears and to defend the free, open and welcoming society that we love in Australia.

In my community, we stand in solidarity with the Jewish community of New South Wales. We commit to supporting them through grief and healing, and we commit to

ensuring that all Australians can live openly, safely and proudly, now and for generations to come.

In honour of the fifteen innocent lives taken at Bondi, let us choose unity over division, courage over silence, humanity over hate, and light over darkness.

Mr MICHAEL KEMP ( Oxley )—I am not someone who is easily shaken, and I am not someone who speaks emotionally without reason. What happened at Bondi Beach on Sunday 14 December 2025 stopped this country in its tracks and forced us to face something deeply confronting about who we are as Australians and what we stand for.

Fifteen innocent people were murdered. Many more were injured in an act of terror that shattered families, devastated a community and sent shockwaves across Australia. To the families who lost loved ones, to those whose lives have been permanently altered and to everyone who is grieving or traumatised by what they witnessed, I offer my deepest condolences.

The terrorist attack carried out on the first night of Hanukkah was a direct and deliberate strike against the Jewish community. It was also a strike against Australian values. It targeted people who were doing nothing more than gathering peacefully, practising their faith and enjoying time with family and friends in one of our country's most iconic, open and recognisable locations.

That matters, because Australia is built on a simple but powerful ideology: that people are free to live here, to worship here and to raise their families here without fear. People come to this country for many reasons, but one of the most important is freedom. Freedom from persecution, freedom from hatred, freedom to vote how they see fit and freedom to practise their religion openly. That night our promise of freedom was broken.

What happened was un-Australian. It runs completely against the values of acceptance, tolerance and mutual respect that bind this country together. No one should come to Australia seeking safety and instead be met with hatred. No one should have to question whether they belong here because of their faith. And no one should feel unsafe practising their religion in a country that prides itself on freedom. Freedom that came with a price by our diggers and recent veterans who have fought and continue to fight to protect our values.

Terrorism, antisemitism and hatred have no place in Australia. Anyone who rejects our values of peaceful coexistence, respect and equality before the law, do not represent this country. If you come here and bring hatred with you, or if you seek to divide, intimidate or harm others because of their views, you are standing against what Australia is and you should be deported or your citizenship revoked.

As more information was released following the attack, we were reminded that when this country is tested, Australians respond and stand together.

We saw NSW Police officers run toward gunfire. We saw paramedics, health workers and volunteers do what they always do and step up without hesitation. We saw surf lifesavers run barefoot toward danger. And we saw individuals do the most heroic and selfless acts that clearly stated we do not accept violence.

I want to acknowledge Detective Senior Constable Cesar Barraza, whose actions helped bring the situation under control. As well as Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert and Constable Scott Dyson, who were injured doing their job and protecting others. Their courage reflects the very best of NSW Police.

I also want to acknowledge Ahmed al-Ahmed, who showed extraordinary bravery by disarming an attacker and putting himself directly in harm's way to protect strangers. He has made the most of his opportunity of living the Aussie life and in a few short moments gave more back to our community than that he has been afforded.

There are many others who are worthy of being mentioned and I also acknowledge their impact on their contributions.

They acted because someone needed help. That instinct, to protect one another, is at the core of Australian mateship.

Antisemitism did not appear overnight. It has been allowed to fester and grow - unchallenged, excused or minimised - until it escalated into violence. That is a failure, and it is one that we as politicians must own. As politicians, we have a responsibility to act. Not just after attacks, but before them. We have a responsibility to call out antisemitism clearly, to strengthen laws where necessary, and to ensure Jewish Australians feel safe and protected in their own country.

We also have a responsibility to rebuild and reinforce Australian values, and that work must begin in our schools. Respect, tolerance, freedom of religion and what it took to earn those freedoms. Young Australians must be taught clearly what this country stands for, and just as clearly, what behaviour it will not tolerate.

To all immigrants in Oxley, across NSW and across Australia, you belong here. Accept our values, work hard for others and make the most of the opportunities Australia provides. You should never have to justify your place in this country. You should never have to live in fear. What the Jewish people experienced on 14 December was disgraceful, it was unjust and it was profoundly un-Australian. We do not accept what occurred there.

Bondi Beach is a symbol of openness, freedom and shared space. An attack there was not just an attack on individuals; it was an attack on the idea that we can live together peacefully in public, in difference and in harmony. We cannot allow that idea to be eroded.

I stand with the families who are grieving, with those who were injured, with the faith community and with the first responders and everyday Australians who showed courage. And I stand for an Australia where hatred is rejected, freedom of religion is protected, and acceptance and tolerance are at the heart of our country.

Mr TIM JAMES ( Willoughby )—I strongly support this Condolence Motion and I thank the Parliament for this opportunity to express the sorrow, support and solidarity of the Willoughby community.

Bondi, Sydney and Australia will never be the same again.

Australia's worst terrorist attack has shaken our country and community and stolen the lives of fifteen beautiful souls.

At the outset I say again that I feel so very much for the Jewish community who were the targets of this attack.

I know local residents who have lost treasured friends. I grieve with them.

We are all grieving I think right now in our way, space and time.

I know that my community is right now.

My deep condolences to all those who have lost loved ones – to the families, friends and loved ones of these people – each one of them precious:

Matilda

Rabbi Eli Schlanger

Rabbi Yaakov Levitan

Alex Kleytman

Boris and Sofia Gurman

Peter Meagher

Dan Elkayam

Marika Pogany

Tibor Weitzen

Reuven Morrison

Adam Smyth

Boris Tetleroyd

Edith Brutman

Tania Tretiak

Each one of them has a story of life – of being loved, part of a family, part of a community, of being active, of giving of themselves to others, of being faithful and good people.

Lives taken.

Innocence lost.

Beautiful souls departed but never forgotten.

May their memories be a blessing.

Light for the Jewish community, particularly during Chanukah means so very much.

On Friday night at North Shore Temple Emanuel in Chatswood we prayed the Mourner's Kiddish, the words of which include:

"Remember the victims of terror and tragedy – may the darkness of their loss not obscure the light of peace. They were in love with our land and in love with life. For the agony, the tears, the mothers and the fathers, for the children who were and the children yet to be; we remember."

This is also a time for healing.

I pray for healing for all, most particularly those still injured including thirteen in hospital right now I'm advised – that includes two in Royal North Shore Hospital in my electorate. I pray and wish them all a full and timely recovery.

It is also a time for hope.

In dark times light is more visible and we see extraordinary and incredible acts. We have witnessed just this – a lot of light and so many heroes in the last week.

Thank you, we salute you and look up you - to all the first responders, to the civilians who stood up and helped, the volunteers who saved lives, the medical professionals performing modern day miracles and many more.

Thank you all for your true heroism and service.

At this time of the year, during what should have been a time of joy, on the steps of St Mary's Cathedral on Wednesday night during a beautiful State Memorial Archbishop Fisher said it so well in recognising (and I quote):

" . . . the dark stain of antisemitism on our city and nation challenges us all.

Hannukah and Christmas challenge us also.

To light a candle of fraternity, justice, goodness.

To be instruments of comfort, healing, mercy.

To repair broken trust, torn social fabric, fractured peace.

To demonstrate the best of humanity after witnessing the worst."

Your Grace certainly reflected my views – and I think those of so many people - and spoke to the actions, generosity and kindness of our people and community since, and still to come.

The blood donations, the campaigns of support for families, the flowers, vigils, notes, candles and so much more – a real credit to our community and humanity.

We will never be defeated by terrorism.

Australia – the lucky country, the land of the fair go, the island nation - is now forever stained this attack, but will never be defined by this atrocity.

People from all around the world have chosen Australia as their home – seeking safe haven, peace, democracy and freedom.

We thank each and every one of them.

And we are sorry that in recent times Australia has let you down.

The country I grew up, know and love is so much better than this.

This is also a time for action.

The Jewish community have heard lots of words during the last week or so.

Facta non verba.

This was my primary school logo at Roseville Public School.

Deeds not words.

It seems very apt at this time.

I spoke at length earlier about the need for leadership, moral clarity, conviction and courage.

That is what is needed most of all to defeat the evil of radical Islamic extremism, hate, violence, antisemitism and prejudice.

There is no place for these in Australia.

To defeat them requires strength, decisiveness and real action, yes including, as I said before, a full national Royal mission.

I won't repeat at length now my remarks in this place of earlier today.

As I have said this is a seminal moment for Australia.

What kind of country do we want to be?

A country where this can never happen again.

A safe country for all.

A country that respects all people and faiths.

A country where good wins over evil, where light prevails over darkness and where that which is true, and right and just triumphs for all for us.

That's the Australia the Jewish community, and all Australians, deserve and have the right to expect.

It's up to all of us to work for just this.

We can never take it for granted.

Once again, my deep condolences to the loved ones of the fifteen beautiful souls.

Always remembered.

Never forgotten.

Never again.

Light over darkness, now and always.

I thank the House.

Mrs TINA AYYAD ( Holswort hy )—In the wake of the Bondi terror attack, the Australian Jewish community are carrying a profound grief for the loss of 15 of their brothers and Sisters.

This senseless antisemitic attack has shocked the very core of our nation, and we grieve for those who were killed and for the families, friends and communities whose lives have been irrevocably changed. I would personally like to express my condolences and prayers to the Australian Jewish Community on behalf of the People of Holsworthy. While no words can lessen your pain, know that we stand beside you in disbelief and sorrow.

The events of Sunday the 14th of December are a reminder of the actions that hate, racism and discrimination can lead to.

Before the Oct. 7 attack, in August 2023, I delivered a speech in this place regarding the alarming rates of antisemitism across Australian Universities. Today I would like to reiterate some of the words I said that day; "as a women of faith elected to this place, I hold a deep sense of responsibility to uphold the values of justice, equality, and unity for all, regardless of faith or culture. An attack on one faith is an attack on all faiths. We must stand united against any form of discrimination, hatred and injustice. We are a community that thrives when we stand up against racism, hatred and injustice".

Some Members in this place were shocked at why, I as an Australian Muslim, elected to represent Holsworthy, would deliver a speech on antisemitism.

I recount today what I responded back then, "he who is not your brother in faith, is your equal in humanity" a reminder that as a Muslim it is my responsibility to treat all with respect and dignity. In Islam "whoever saves one life, it is as though they have saved all of humanity and whoever takes a life it is as though they have taken the lives of all humanity".

Since the attack at Bondi Australians have lost their sense of trust and community safety. There's a deep unease, but I know together we can work towards a better future.

We all deserve safety, dignity and respect, we all belong.

We are a country that values our diverse communities over division, compassion over fear and unity over hate.

When violence seeks to fracture that, our response must be to come together in shared humanity.

In these difficult times, I would like to thank and recognise, all first responders, and the many hero's and brave souls who helped, comfort, and guide, and of course to Ahmed al-Ahmed, whose bravery and selflessness has been forever engraved into the global

human story. It was a very touching moment when Rabbi Mendel Kastel and Rabbi Zalman Kastel met Ahmed al-Ahmed something I will never forget.

I conclude by saying:

May all those innocent Souls Rest in Eternal Peace.

While the body returns to dust, the Soul returns to God who gave it.

May Their memory be a Blessing.

Ms JACQUI SCRUBY ( Pittwater )—On behalf of Pittwater, I want to give my heartfelt condolences to those impacted by the Bondi Terrorist Attack; for those who lost family members and loved ones, for those injured, and for the whole Jewish Community who were horrifically targeted in this antisemitic attack.

We honour the men and women who responded with true bravery to fight evil, they are heroes.

Boris and Sofia Gurman, a heroic couple who lived in Bondi, gave their own lives trying to disarm one of the terrorists. Reuven Morrison lost his life with his valiant efforts while throwing bricks at one of the gunmen.

The loss of the beloved Rabbi Eli Schlanger and Rabbi Yaakov Levitan to the Bondi Chabad is no doubt immeasurable to the whole of the Bondi Chabad community.

A huge thank you to all those who helped, our surf lifesavers and first responders and everyday people who ran towards the danger to help others. This is the best of humanity.

Chaya Dadon, who, at only 14 years old, was shot after she moved from relative safety to act as a human shield for other children.

Civilian hero Ahmed al-Ahmed, a Muslim man from Syria, who bravely tackled one of the terrorists, no doubt saving countless Jewish lives and at the risk of his own, demonstrated the very best of what it means to be Australian.

I also pay my respects to Constable Scott Dyson and Northern Beaches local, Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert, two brave young men in their twenties, who were shot and injured responding to the attack. Pittwater is incredibly proud of Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert, who went to school in Pittwater at Narrabeen Sports High School. We honour you as a hero.

Peter "Marzo" Meagher was also a police officer, tragically struck and killed in retirement, who leaves behind a lasting legacy at Randwick Rugby Union Football Club. Another beloved husband and sports fan was taken from us that day, loyal Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles supporter Adam Smyth.

There is also the tragic irony that Alexander Kleytman, who died protecting his wife Larisa from bullets, survived the Holocaust in Ukraine but did not survive

Bondi's massacre. Other victims who came to Australia for a better life include Marika Pogany, who was an amazing volunteer and delivered Kosher meals on wheels for seniors.

Antisemitism causes beautiful members of our Australian community to feel constant fear and on Sunday this manifested as a truly evil attack. It has no place in a modern, democratic and multicultural society such as ours. Unfortunately, the events on Sunday make it clear we have failed our Jewish Community and that we must address radical extremism and antisemitism - not only perpetrated in terrorist attacks, but in every area of society.

I want to reflect on my community following the attack.

I attended the most wonderful event in Mona Vale on the fourth day of Chanukah, one that had been set weeks in advance and continued despite Sunday's tragedy. To be honest, I didn't know what the tone would be like, a vigil of mourning or a celebration as Chanukah is intended. It was one of celebration and shining light demonstrating the resilience of our local Jewish community. This was despite Rabbi Schapiro and others in attendance having already attended two funerals that day.

Children were playing and people were dancing. Rabbi Schapiro said he had not processed what had happened, not because more time was needed, but because what had happened could not possibly be processed. That the only way forward was to do, to do an action, to do a Mitzvah - a good deed for others or society.

Then, last Sunday night, the last day of Chanukah and a National Day of Reflection, the Pittwater community came together at Manly Beach for a candlelit vigil to stand in solidarity with Bondi and the Jewish Community. At the same time, I was honoured to represent Pittwater at the reclaiming of Bondi Beach by survivors, their families, and everyone affected by the tragic events of the week before. Organised by the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, it truly was "A Night of Unity: Light Over Darkness".

There were so many moving moments, especially the tribute to young 10-year-old Matilda being honoured, with her parents Michael and Valya embracing in grief as they danced to the Waltzing Matilda, the unofficial Australian anthem she was named after.

We mourned all those mentioned, as well as Frenchman and keen footballer Dan Elkayam and great-grandfather Tibor Weitzen who handed out lollipops to

children at shul, both of whom came from other countries for a better life but were killed in this attack, and valued members of the Jewish community Edith Brutman, Boris Tetleroyd, and Tania Tretiak. Friends, family and children of those who lost their lives participated in the celebration with inspirational resilience.

As a nation and a state, now is the time for unity and compassion. I want to acknowledge the Premier and Opposition Leader who have modelled a swift, bipartisan response to the tragedy that will bring unity - rather than further fracturing our social cohesion, as is being done at a federal level.

Now is the time to listen to those in the Jewish community and for each of us to take time to understand the rise of antisemitism, and what it means to the people it impacts. And as leaders we must take action - both in NSW Parliament and Federal Parliament - including a Royal Commission.

To the families, friends and whole community of those lost, injured or impacted - Pittwater grieves with you and stands by you.

Ms STEPH COOKE ( Cootamundra )—On Sunday, December 14, at 6:47 pm, the most evil of crimes was committed against our nation's Jewish community, and our nation as a whole. What should have been a fun-filled gathering on the sunny shores of one of the country's most cherished landmarks, Bondi Beach, has since been declared the scene of the deadliest terrorist attack to unfold on our nation's soil.

This horrifying act of hatred and violence occurred on the first night of Hanukkah, a peaceful Jewish festival otherwise known as the Festival of Lights. Like many of the celebrations that take place in our country at this time of year, Hanukkah is a time when Jewish Australians come together to celebrate their faith, reflect on the year that has been, and spend time with those they hold dearest.

Fifteen innocent lives have been lost and on behalf of the Cootamundra electorate, I express to their families my deepest condolences. In their memory, we must never forget the contributions they made, lovingly shared by their families and friends despite their unimaginable grief. Through them, we have come to know of two Rabbis whose leadership inspired their communities, the Holocaust survivor who embodied pride in the Australian way of life, the volunteers who gave countless hours to strengthen and uplift Jewish Australians, and a ten-year-old girl who spread light and happiness.

Our nation will not forget the extraordinary acts of bravery shown by three of the victims: husband and wife Boris and Sofia Gurman, who died in each other's arms after attempting to stop the gunmen before they could unleash their assault, and 62-year-old Reuven Morrison, who threw bricks at the terrorists in an effort to protect his community.

Forty-two people were transported or presented to hospitals with varying injuries and profound psychological wounds. I wish them all the smoothest and swiftest of recoveries, including Bondi hero Ahmed al‑Ahmed, who managed to disarm one of the gunmen, and the two NSW Police officers who were wounded in the line of duty. Their actions, and those of all the police officers who attended the scene and placed themselves in harm's way, undoubtedly prevented further loss of life. The tireless work of our health care professionals in hospitals across Sydney also deserve our gratitude.

The selfless actions of our emergency services, paramedics, surf lifesavers, and bystanders who rushed to aid of those injured and ushered them to safety should fill us all with pride. There will be many people battling the memories of that day, and that is why my thoughts extend to the entire Bondi community. Across the Cootamundra electorate, our flags fly at half-mast, and we mourn the loss of innocent life, and we stand in solidarity with Jewish Australians.

What occurred on December 14 was a blatant and unforgivable act of antisemitism. Throughout history, this deplorable ideology has sought to dehumanise, isolate, and terrorise Jewish people because of their faith. It is deeply confronting that we continue to see such hatred fester in our communities, and it demands not only our condemnation, but our vigilance. This Parliament must be unequivocal in rejecting antisemitism in all its forms.

This act of terrorism was an assault not only on the Jewish community, but on the values that underpin our democracy. Terrorism seeks to stoke division, provoke fear, and undermine social cohesion. Violence driven by extremism and hatred has no place in Australia, and it will never prevail over the principles of equality, freedom, and mutual respect.

In condemning this act, we reaffirm our commitment to the rule of law, to justice for the victims, and to the protection of every Australian's right to live free from fear. Our response must be resolute, united, and grounded in the values that bind us together as a nation.

Ms SOPHIE COTSIS ( Canterbury—Minister for Industrial Relations, and Minister for Work Health and Safety)—Speaker, my deepest condolences to the Jewish community and the families and loved ones of the 15 people murdered and 39 injured in the antisemitic terror attack on Bondi Beach on Sunday, 14 December.

This evil act of violence in the name of ISIS targeted Jewish Australians on the first night of Chanukah at a family-friendly event by the beach celebrating Jewish identity.

It was a terror attack not only on our Jewish community but on all Australians and our peaceful way of life.

As a country that has been a place of refuge, opportunity and freedom for people of all faiths and backgrounds for generations, there is no place for hatred or violence towards any minority in Australia.

This is not who we are.

The bravery shown by those who ran towards danger to protect others, which included members of the public and our police officers, demonstrated our true character. So too were the members of the public and emergency services personnel who rushed to provide assistance to those injured in the attack.

The outpouring of kindness and compassion we have seen over the past week demonstrated who we are.

In this dark time, our message to all Jewish Australians is that we stand with you and stand against antisemitism.

There is no place in this country for this type of violence, nor for the expressions of hatred that preceded it.

Antisemitism is an affront to our values. This includes the recent rise in anti-Jewish slurs and graffiti, which had already compromised the sense of safety many Jewish Australians felt in their own communities before the devastating attack at Bondi Beach. It has to stop.

We stand united behind the Jewish community and their right to live in safety and celebrate their identity and faith. Jewish Australians are an integral part of our successful multicultural society. Any attack on an Australian based on their religion, identity or background is an attack on us all.

We stand united behind the Jewish community and their right to celebrate their culture and religion, just like all Australians.

We are a nation built on the promise that all people can live together in safety.

It is time to stand together—to protect the right of every Australian to feel safe and to live with the freedom to celebrate their culture and faith.

Any expression of hatred towards any Australian's heritage, culture and religion is an attack on all of us.

This House reaffirms that there is no place for any members of our community to feel unsafe due to their culture or faith.

We are a nation built on the idea that people of all faiths and backgrounds can live together in safety.

This is a time for us all to stand together and protect our way of life and ensure all Australians feel safe and have the freedom to openly celebrate their culture and faith.

Ms YASMIN CATLEY ( Swansea—Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, and Minister for the Hunter)—On the first night of Hanukkah, a time symbolising light overcoming darkness...

... a vicious act of hatred sought to sow fear and terror into our community, particularly the Australian Jewish community.

I rise today to offer my profound condolences to the victims and witnesses of the Bondi terrorist attack on Sunday the 14th of December.

And to the wider Jewish community, for the fear, hurt and anguish inflicted on them.

On Sunday, I attended One Mitzvah for Bondi.

A mitzvah is a Jewish concept centred on doing a good deed - an act of kindness that is not optional but expected.

Kindness cannot be something we ration or reserve. It needs to come from us more willingly and more often.

In the Jewish faith, acts of kindness are a moral responsibility. An obligation. That is what mitzvah means.

And that obligation does not belong to one community alone. It belongs to all of us. To act with compassion. To choose decency.

Acts of antisemitism, intimidation and violence are sickening and intolerable.

What we witnessed on the 14th was a grotesque affront to the principles that bind us together as Australians.

Despite the horrors that unfolded that day, we have witnessed great displays of support, courage and strength, within the Jewish community and also from first responders and ordinary community members.

Our incredible police force, our paramedics, hospital staff, Bondi Beach lifeguards and citizens .... NSW has no shortage of heroes.

There were moments that didn't make the headlines.

As the streets began to empty on Sunday evening, people who sought refuge in the Bondi Police Station remained there for a while longer, still in shock at what they had witnessed.

Among them a woman who later described what happened next.

A sergeant moved quietly through the room, gently signalling officers to come together. Around 30 police officers stood shoulder to shoulder, heads bowed.

The Sergeant began to pray for everyone involved.

Here was a glimpse few ever see.

A room of officers leaning on one another in prayer, a private acknowledgment of the toll their work takes and the commitment they share to face it together.

Comradery forged in the most extreme of circumstances.

The same comradery that gives them the strength to show up every day, to protect and serve with courage most of us can scarcely imagine.

I was privileged to be in that police station close to midnight on that Sunday night. It was packed with police – perhaps 50 or 60 crowded into a room at the front of the station.

The Sergeant said to me "I haven't made one phone call. Most of these cops are not even on duty – they just turned up." It was deeply moving to see.

We were told one of woman who heard the news on her day off in Newcastle. She pulled on her uniform, got in her car and turned up at Bondi to be with her colleagues, to help in any way she could.

These are the moments the public hasn't seen. But they're everywhere.

Our police are completely committed to the job, to each other and to protecting us.

On Sunday, all those qualities shone through. I could not be prouder of our NSW Police.

There have also been some conspicuous acts of bravery.

22-year-old Jack Hibbert had only been with the force for 4 months when patrolling the Hanukkah celebration.

Jack miraculously survived two bullet wounds.

But his injuries have resulted in a loss of vision in one eye.

Constable Scott Dyson had been working with the Eastern Suburbs PAC for just 18 months.

He sustained wounds which landed him in hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition.

Jack and Scott's actions showed tremendous courage. It will be a long road to recovery for both and the policing family is with them for the long run.

Incidents like this take a major toll on our serving police officers.

I am proud to hear of the significant and ongoing welfare and support services in place for our offices, supported by the Police Association.

I am advised the Police Legacy fundraising efforts for both Scott and Jack are above $440,000.

The police response has been swift and effective.

Under the Joint Counter-terrorism Team of state and federal law enforcement, Operation Arques was launched to investigate the atrocity.

480 officers were deployed under Operation Shelter – a proactive, high-visibility policing operation focused on protecting the community.

The events of Sunday were driven by hatred, pure and simple. Hatred directed at the Jewish community.

A community that has endured so much, yet continues to embody resilience, faith and hope.

Among those we lost was Alex Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor. He survived the worst the world could produce during humanity's darkest days and still chose to see the best in people. How do we honour that courage?

How do we rise to that example?

By learning from it, by holding on to our humanity like Alex did.

We must choose to live by his example – to honour his memory and those of the others who perished.

Above all, like Alex, we must choose compassion, courage and hope because that is how we defeat hate.

Mr WARREN KIRBY ( Riverstone )—Speaker, I rise to express my deepest sorrow and heartfelt condolences on behalf of the people from the Riverstone electorate to the families, friends, and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi Beach on Sunday afternoon, 14 December 2025, and stand in solidarity with the Jewish community of Australia in the wake of this devastating and targeted act of unimaginable violence.

I laid flowers at Bondi on behalf of the Riverstone electorate, carrying with me the grief, shock, and profound sense of loss felt by not just my community but our entire nation.

It was a deeply moving and sorrowful experience. Even now, I struggle to find words that adequately express the depth of feeling so many Australians are experiencing. I know this struggle is shared by countless people across the Riverstone electorate and across our sunburnt country.

Fifteen innocent people lost their lives during the Chanukah by the Sea event, a celebration of faith, light, and community held at one of Australia's most iconic public spaces. This attack was designated a terrorist act, and it has shaken our nation to its core.

The perpetrators—a father and son—are believed to have links to the international terrorist organisation ISIS. One was shot by police and is expected to face criminal charges, while the other was disarmed by a member of the public and later killed by police. Their actions were deliberate, ideologically driven, and designed to inflict maximum fear and devastation.

Among the victims was ten-year-old Matilda—a name quintessentially Australian—whose life should have been defined by promise, not tragedy. The eldest victim was Alex, aged 87, a Holocaust survivor who had already endured one of humanity's darkest chapters, only to lose his life in an act of evil decades later. Between those two lives and the other 13 victims lies families torn apart, futures erased, and grief that will echo for generations.

This was not a random act of violence. It was a targeted attack against Jewish Australians on the first day of one of their most significant holy celebrations. It was carried out by heavily armed extremists whose despicable ideology thrives on fear, division, and terror. The Jewish community is understandably fearful of further unjustifiable attacks, and that fear must be met with compassion, vigilance, and resolve.

The broader Australian public is experiencing a profound mix of grief, shock, and outrage. Australians instinctively understand that an attack on one community is an attack on us all. When hatred is permitted to strike at any group because of who they are or how they worship, the fabric of our shared multicultural society is damaged.

In the days following the attack, I have seen heartbreak and disbelief—both online and in conversations within my community. I have also seen intense anger and a desperate search for accountability. While anger is a natural response to such violence, how that anger is directed matters deeply.

Some voices have sought to place blame on immigration and on the Muslim community, on the basis that the attackers were Islamic extremists. That response, while emotionally driven, is deeply misguided and dangerous. Terrorism seeks not only to kill, but to fracture societies, inflame fear, and provoke retaliation. To turn against innocent communities is to advance the very aims of terrorists who committed this crime against humanity.

As a result of this climate of fear and blame, many Australian Muslims are bracing themselves for unjustifiable acts of retribution, despite having no responsibility for these crimes and despite being among the most frequent victims of extremist violence worldwide.

Yet even in the midst of this darkness, there has been a powerful and unmistakable light.

That light is Ahmed al-Ahmed, the Australian hero who disarmed one of the gunmen in an extraordinary act of selfless bravery. Ahmed, a Muslim who migrated to Australia from Syria in 2006, placed himself in harm's way to save others—people he did not know—because it was the right thing to do. His courage reflects the very best of Australia.

That light is also seen in the response from the majority of the community in their outpouring of support and solidarity for the victims.

Some have asked how it is possible that both the villains and the hero could share the same faith. The answer is clear: the villains were not acting as Muslims. They were acting as terrorists. Extremism is not faith—it is the corruption of faith.

This distinction is articulated within Islam itself. The Quran states:

"Whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption done in the land—it is as if he had slain all of mankind. And whoever saves one—it is as if he had saved all of mankind." (Quran 5:32)

Islamic extremists murdered innocent Jewish Australians and, in doing so, struck at the Australia we once knew. A Muslim man risked his own life to save countless others and, in doing so, reminded us of the Australia we must protect and preserve.

As horrific as this terrorist attack has been, no matter how deep the scar it leaves or how long the healing may take, the sun will rise again tomorrow. What remains within our control is the kind of nation we choose to be when it does.

We can choose fear and division, or we can choose courage and unity. We can allow hatred to fracture us, or we can stand together and affirm that terrorism will not define who we are.

I hope for an Australia grounded in compassion and understanding—an Australia that grieves together, protects one another, and moves forward with resolve. An Australia that honours the dead not only with words, but with the strength of our values and to honour them by refusing to succumb to the objectives of the terrorists and let our nation be divided by fear and hate.

Ms CHARISHMA KALIYANDA ( Liverpool )—With a heavy heart, I place on record my profound sorrow, and the anguish of my community, at the tragic loss of life resulting from the terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community at Bondi on Sunday 14 December.

This act of brutal violence on a beautiful summer evening was shocking in its senselessness. It aimed to strike at the heart of the Australian way of life. Bondi is an iconic destination, one that represents us to the rest of the world. It is also a place of openness, community, and shared enjoyment. A public space where people gather to enjoy the simple freedoms of everyday life. And in that moment, it was a place where people were practicing their faith peacefully and joyfully.

On behalf of the people of Liverpool, I extend my deepest condolences to the families, loved ones, friends, and colleagues of those who were killed. I know that those who were injured, and those who witnessed the attack will continue to carry its trauma. The impact of an event like this does not end when the immediate danger has passed. Grief, shock, and fear linger long after the headlines fade, and for many, life is forever divided into before and after.

The loss experienced by those grieving is immeasurable. No parent should have to bury a child. No child should have to grow up without a parent. No partner should have to face the future without the person they loved. Each life taken mattered. Each person lost had dreams, relationships, and a future that was cruelly cut short.

I can't imagine the fear, anxiety and pain being experienced by the Jewish community, and by the broader Bondi community. I make it clear that my community and I stand against hatred, antisemitism, islamophobia, racism and all forms of discrimination. As Dr Miriam Levy said, "antisemitism is not just an irritation to be ignored…it is a feeling". This feeling has left people feeling too scared to go about their daily lives, scared for their children and bracing for the future.

Many in Liverpool have understand through painful personal experience that when hatred festers and weakens our collective responsibility to each other, violence and harm can result. We share this understanding with some of those who had their loves stolen last week, who lived through the horrors of the Holocaust, who sought peace and freedom in this country.

To see the sense of safety and freedom violated in such a callous way has deeply shaken communities right across Australia, and the world. It is often this freedom and opportunity why many choose our state, and indeed our country, to build a new life.

In the days following this attack, we have seen the best of humanity in action. Neighbours checking in on one another, faith leaders offering comfort, and community organisations opening their doors to support those who are struggling. These responses remind us that while acts of terror seek to divide us, they ultimately fail to overcome the compassion and decency that define our communities. In times of darkness, the light of humanity shines bright.

This is true of the extraordinary bravery and professionalism of our first responders. The police officers who confronted danger, the paramedics and firefighters who worked under immense pressure, and the doctors, nurses, and hospital staff who cared for the injured all demonstrated courage of the highest order. They ran towards harm to protect others, and in doing so, they upheld the very best traditions of public service.

Many of these first responders carry the weight of what they have seen long after the event itself. Their mental health and wellbeing matter, and we must continue to ensure they are properly supported, not only with gratitude, but with the resources and care they deserve.

Acts of terrorism are designed to instil fear, to fracture social cohesion, and to undermine trust in our shared public spaces. We must be clear and unequivocal: such violence has no place in our society. We repudiate it, regardless of background, belief, or political persuasion. We will not allow hatred or extremism to define us or to dictate how we live together.

Our response must be guided by our values. We must reject fear without abandoning compassion. We must pursue safety without surrendering the openness and inclusion that make our communities strong. And we must ensure that in our determination to protect the public, we do not lose sight of the dignity and humanity of every person.

For communities like Liverpool, this balance is deeply important. Our diversity is our strength, not something to be exploited by those who seek to divide us by pointing fingers at whole communities. The overwhelming response from multicultural and multifaith communities has been one of unity, condemnation of violence, and solidarity with the victims. That response deserves recognition.

I want to say to the Bondi community: the people of Liverpool stand with you. We share in your grief. We honour your losses. And we stand alongside you in the long journey of healing that lies ahead. Whether through quiet moments of remembrance, community gatherings, or acts of kindness, we remain connected in our shared humanity.

This condolence motion is a moment to pause, to reflect, and to reaffirm our collective commitment to building a New South Wales where people can live, work, and gather safely, without fear, and with confidence in one another.

Let us remember the role we all need to play in building a better, stronger and more unified society. History teaches us that communities can respond not only with grief, but with resolve. That we can choose unity over division. We choose not to let fear define us. We choose not to allow hatred to fracture the bonds that hold us together.

May the memories of those who were taken too soon be a blessing, and may we honour them not only with our words today, but with our actions in the days and years ahead.

Mr TIM CRAKANTHORP ( Newcastle )—I want to first and foremost recognise and pay my respects to the 15 innocent lives lost on Sunday 14 October 2025 and the family that they leave behind.

At the time of the Bondi terrorist attack, I was celebrating Chanukah here in Newcastle with our local Jewish community. I was honoured to light the candle on the menorah, and I want to thank Rabbi Yossi for inviting me to that event.

Chanukah is a festival of light. It is a joyous and vibrant celebration and many people travelled hours to meet in Newcastle and mark the first night of the holiday with their community.

As news broke of what had happened in Bondi, there was a chill through the crowd. People were scared. The sense of fear and anxiety that took over this happy day, was deeply unsettling and should never be felt by any person in Newcastle.

Unfortunately for some in our community, this fear and anxiety is felt everyday.

Antisemitism is a scourge on our society. Antisemitism and all other forms of racism have no place in Newcastle, NSW or Australia.

This is certainly a dark time, not only for the Jewish community, but for Australia as a whole. Chanukah, however, is about light prevailing over dark.

We cannot let this hate embed itself in our society. As a community we need to support one another, regardless of race, or religion. We are all Australian and we are all human beings. Every life is valuable and loved, and this is something we can never forget, or be persuaded to believe otherwise.

At times like these, when we see the worst of humanity, it also brings out the best in humanity.

It was a great privilege to attend the vigil held at the Newcastle Synagogue after the attack. While the circumstances of the vigil are horrific, it was heartening to see the Newcastle community turn out en masse and united in our appreciation of human life and respect for one another.

We have seen heroes emerge, like Ahmed al-Ahmed, who tackled one of the gunmen and wrested his weapon, and Boris and Sofia Gurman, who tragically lost their lives attempting to stop one of the gunman as soon as he got out of his car and before he was able to fire his first shot.

We have also seen the wider community come out in multitude to stand in solidarity with our Jewish community. I know that our Anglican Bishop Peter Stuart and Iman Mohamed Hammed from the Mayfield Mosque have been vocal in their support as local religious leaders, and I acknowledge that people of all faith denominations have expressed their sincere condolences and stood by the Jewish community at this time.

I want to acknowledge the outstanding work of emergency services, our NSW Police, paramedics and hospital workers. As well as the great courage of other first responders on the scene: the surf lifesavers on Bondi Beach, SES volunteers, all those who passed by, the event attendees, and the Bondi community who faced those traumatic scenes to help others.

NSW Parliament has been recalled to pass vital gun laws capping recreational gun users to four firearms and limiting access by recategorising certain guns.

Mr NATHAN HAGARTY ( Leppington )—I place on record my deepest sympathies on behalf of the Leppington community, and on behalf of my own family, to the families, friends and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi Beach on Sunday, 14 December 2025.

We remember the victims by name. We remember Sofia and Boris Gurman, whose instinct in the face of danger was not to flee, but to act and try to protect others. Their bravery and selflessness reflect the very best of humanity. We remember Edith Brutman, Matilda, Boris Tetleroyd, Marika Pogany, Tibor Weitzen, Reuven Morrison, Alex Kleytman, Peter Meagher, Adam Smyth, Dan Elkayam, Tania Tretiak, Rabbi Yaakov Levitan and Rabbi Eli Schlanger.

I place on record my gratitude to the surf lifesavers, NSW Police, NSW Ambulance, health workers, volunteers and members of the public who ran toward danger, acting instinctively, bravely and without hesitation. Their courage stands in stark contrast to the hatred that motivated this attack.

I also acknowledge the heroics of bystanders, best personified by Ahmad Al-Ahmad. His act of bravery in fighting back in the face of terror was not only an individual act, but a symbolic one. It was courage, decency and humanity asserting itself in the darkest of moments.

His story and his actions represent the real Australia and demonstrate that multiculturalism in New South Wales continues to endure. In the days since this horrific attack, we have seen the very best of it. As someone who has lived, breathed and worked directly in contributing to and strengthening Australia's multiculturalism, I have seen firsthand how our diversity is a source of resilience, not division. Communities, including my own, have come together across faiths, cultures and backgrounds to mourn, to support one another and to reject hatred.

To that end, I address the Jewish community of New South Wales. To the families mourning an unimaginable loss, and to those who may now feel fear where there should be comfort and security, I say on behalf of the Leppington community that you are valued, you are respected, and you belong. Racism and discrimination, particularly antisemitism, have no place in our State, and hatred in any form has no place in our society.

In moments of tragedy and crisis, there is often an overwhelming human instinct to do something, anything, to help. To assist. To try to make a difference. To carry a small part of the burden being borne by others. We have seen countless examples of that instinct since that horrible day.

One of the most powerful has been the extraordinary response to blood donation appeals. People lining up, sometimes for hours, simply wanting to help save lives and contribute in a tangible way. I hope that spirit does not fade with time. As a long-time donor myself, I hope it becomes normalised, not just in moments of crisis, but as an enduring expression of who we are as a community.

The days since the tragedy have been dark, but it has been the small moments that have given me hope. One such moment came while visiting my local SES unit for their final muster of the year. As the formalities concluded, volunteers exchanged gifts and gathered around a shared dessert table. Sitting back and observing, I was struck by what that room represented: old and young, men and women, people from different cultural backgrounds, all giving up their time to help fellow citizens at their worst moments. That room reflected who we truly are, not who the alleged gunman sought to portray us as.

On the Tuesday morning following the tragedy, I visited Bondi Beach to pay my respects. The noise and energy that usually define that most iconic part of Sydney were replaced with silence, flowers, handwritten notes and quiet reflection.

While there, I ran into an acquaintance I have come to know through politics. He thanked me for visiting and told me he was in his apartment nearby at the time of the attack and heard the shots. He was also thankful that his wife and children were overseas on holiday, because their usual Sunday routine was to visit the Pavilion and take a walk along the beach. They would normally enter via that very bridge used by the alleged gunman.

That conversation was a stark reminder of the human stories behind this tragedy, of how close many came to being caught up in it, of how interconnected this city is, and of how deeply this attack has affected people far beyond Bondi, far beyond the Jewish community, and far beyond those who were physically present on the day.

This has been a devastating moment for our State. But it has also revealed the strength of our communities, the depth of our shared values, and the quiet heroism of everyday Australians.

We mourn today. We grieve with those who have lost so much. And we recommit ourselves to building a New South Wales where no one is made to feel unsafe because of who they are or what they believe.

Tighter gun laws alone will not stop terrorism or antisemitism in our country. We will not tolerate racism, extremism or radicalisation. The Bill also prohibits the display of terrorist symbols and the NSW Government will continue to put every resource at our disposal into stopping racism and terrorism in our state.

As our nation heals from this horrific attack, it has never been more important to stand united, to wrap our arms around one another, and let us be the light that prevails over the darkness.

Dr MARJORIE O'NEI LL ( Coogee )—Today we gather with heavy hearts — not as members of different parties, regions or constituencies — but as fellow Australians united in sorrow, in love, and in resolve following the horrific terror attack against the Jewish community on Bondi Beach on the first night of Hanukkah, which claimed the lives of too many innocent people and wounded many more.

An attack against our Jewish community, many of whom has escaped and left the USSR because of persecution. It was an attack against all Australian

An attack on our very values of peace, community and inclusion that define our nation.

History tells us, what often starts with the Jews very rarely ends there.

It is with profound respect and sadness that I acknowledge the lives taken from us — lives lived fully, loved fiercely, and mourned deeply.

Among those killed were:

Matilda, aged 10, a joyful schoolgirl who lit up the lives of her classmates and family. Her loss has left a void in the hearts of so many who knew her, and we mourn a life taken far too soon.

Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a devoted community leader and chaplain who dedicated his life to guiding others with faith and kindness.

Reuven Morrison, a beloved father and grandfather whose courage in confronting danger symbolised love over fear. His final moments were those of protection and bravery.

Boris and Sofia Gurman, married for nearly 35 years, whose selfless act in confronting the attacker cost them their lives. Their kindness and devotion to one another and their community are unforgettable.

Dan Elkayam, a young French national whose zest for life and connection to community were known to friends and loved ones.

Alex Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor whose life was a testament to resilience, gratitude and storytelling.

Edith Brutman, 68

Yaakov Levitan, 39

Adam Smyth, 50

Boris Tetleroyd, 68

Tania Tretiak, 68

Tibor Weitzen, 78

Marika Pogany, 82

And Peter Meagher, a former police detective and photographer, first grade wicks manger remembered for his spirit — capturing life in its beauty — even as it was cut tragically short. Marzo, was one of the heart and soul figures of Randwick Rugby. He was also a highly respected long-term referee who was well known in Sydney Rugby circles.

Peter had developed a close affinity with the Jewish Community and supported them for many years voluntarily photographing events (photography being a passionate hobby he took up after leaving the cops after 4 decades of service), as a result of his wife Virginia working at Kesser Torah College in Dover Heights. Both Marzo and Vigina both had a strong connection with Rabbi Schlanger, who was also tragically killed at Bondi.

Among others we also mourn — community members, grandparents, neighbours and friends — each of whom brought warmth and good into this world. Their names and stories remind us that every life lost was part of a tapestry of love, service and belonging.

May your memories be a blessing.

Let us be clear — the alleged perpetrators of this barbaric act do not represent Australia, its values, or its people.

Terrorism motivated by hatred has no place in our society, and those who spread fear and division must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.

What we have seen in the days since — however — shows that Australia at its core stands for unity, humanity, courage and compassion in the face of hatred.

In the midst of this unspeakable tragedy, we have also seen the best of the Australian spirit rise up:

We honour the volunteer surf lifesavers, who left seasonal parties — dressed as elves — and ran toward danger to provide first aid and reassurance to the wounded.

The lifeguards who ran barefoot across sand and concrete to administer lifesaving assistance even as gunfire echoed.

The man who disarmed the shooter, putting himself in harm's way to protect others — a moment of courage that epitomises altruism in its purest form.

The more than 40,000 Australians who lined up to give blood, offering not just their donations but their solidarity to those in need.

These are the stories that define us as a people — brave, generous, and undeniably united in the face of fear.

We pay tribute to the first responders who ran toward the sound of gunfire as others ran away:

NSW Police officers, including Detective Senior Constable Cesar Barraza — whose decisive actions helped end the threat — alongside Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert and Constable Scott Dyson, both grievously injured in service.

Paramedics, firefighters, lifesavers and health workers who treated the wounded without hesitation, often at great personal risk.

Volunteer and community emergency teams across NSW who supported survivors, families, and the broader community.

We thank them for holding our community together in its most vulnerable hour.

this tragedy has shattered families and shaken our sense of security. But it has also sparked something extraordinary — widespread compassion, interfaith solidarity, and an unwavering resolve that hate will not define us.

We are reminded that in the face of fear, love must lead; in the face of hatred, unity must prevail.

So today, I call upon the silent majority of Australia — those who quietly reject hate, who believe in dignity, respect and peace — stand up. Stand with the Jewish community. Stand with every Australian who seeks a society bound not by fear, but by hope and humanity. Stand firm against antisemitism, racism, division and violence. Let us be a unified voice for peace, for justice, for compassion — not just in words, but in deeds.

Now is the time of silent Australians to stand up and act. We all have a duty to speak up. It is not enough to leave it unsaid. This nebulous threat is real.

The people and groups that perpetrated these crimes seek to divide us, and we cannot allow them to do so. That is when they win.

Australia's strength does not lie in the absence of tragedy — but in how we respond to it, how we heal together, and how we build a future grounded in unity.

Ms KATELIN McINERNEY ( Kiama )—I put forward this motion on behalf of the Kiama electorate to express our profound grief and to offer our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed and injured in the antisemitic terror attack at Bondi Beach on December 14.

Fifteen precious lives were taken that evening as families gathered to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah at the annual Chanukah by the Sea event. Among them were children and grandparents, Holocaust survivors and young people building new lives, rabbis and community members - people simply celebrating their faith and culture in what should have been a moment of joy and light.

We mourn them: 10-year-old Matilda, whose light was extinguished far too soon; 87-year-old Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, who escaped the horrors of World War II only to lose his life to hatred in a country that promised safety; Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, a community leader and father of five who served Bondi for 18 years; Yaakov Levitan, a pillar of Sydney's Jewish community; Boris and Sofia Gurman, the Ukrainian-Jewish couple in their 60s who became the first victims when they courageously tried to disarm an attacker; Reuven Morrison, 62, who made himself a target to allow others to flee; Tibor Weitzen, 78, who died shielding others; Dan Elkayam, 27, a young French national and talented footballer building his life in Sydney; Edith Brutman, 68, a woman of integrity who met prejudice with principle; and Marika Pogany, 82, who dedicated decades to delivering kosher Meals on Wheels to her community.

Each name represents a life of meaning, love, and contribution. Each loss leaves an unfillable void in families and communities.

We also honour the dozens injured in this attack, including the two police officers who responded with courage, and we wish them all full and swift recoveries.

In the face of unimaginable violence there was extraordinary heroism. Boris and Sofia Gurman confronted an armed attacker, wrestling his weapon away before they were fatally shot. Ahmed al-Ahmed, a fruit shop owner, tackled a gunman from behind and disarmed him, sustaining injuries but saving countless lives. Reuven Morrison threw bricks at the attackers, making himself a target so others could escape. Off-duty surf lifesavers from Bondi and North Bondi Surf Lifesaving Clubs ran toward the danger, using surfboards as stretchers, depleting their supplies to treat the wounded, and sheltering 250 people inside the club.

Detective Senior Constable Cesar Barraza confronted the attackers armed only with his service handgun, shooting from 45 metres away and neutralising one of the gunmen, helping to end the massacre and save lives.

Then there were the countless off-duty medical practitioners, nurses, paramedics, local community members who stepped in to help despite the danger. These heroes, many of whom came from elsewhere and chose to make Australia their home because it is a place of peace, acceptance, and opportunity, remind us of the very best we are as a state and a country.

They embody the values we hold dear: courage, compassion, and the instinct to protect our neighbours.

We are a proudly multicultural society. We are a nation built on diversity, where people from every corner of the world come together to create something greater than ourselves. This is our way of life. This is what makes us Australian. And we will stand together to protect it.

The attack on Bondi Beach was an attack on all of us—on our Jewish community, on our values, on the multicultural fabric that defines this nation. But we will not let that hate win.

Communities across my electorate came together many times over the week that followed in solidarity with the families and community of those taken in this act of violence to stand together to reiterate this is not who we are. We will not allow fear to divide us. Instead, we will shine light into the darkness.

To the families grieving, to the survivors recovering, to the Jewish community across NSW and Australia—we stand with you. We see you. We will not look away. The people of our community and communities across this state stand with you in our grief and our resolve.

As Bill Shorten said in Federal Parliament in the wake of the Lindt Café Siege tragedy in 2015 "We will never reward the perpetrators of evil by abandoning our common humanity. Let us promise each other to always be a happy and confident people, a nation rejecting fear – rejecting fear – embracing diversity. A nation whose first instinct will always be optimism and compassion, never suspicion nor prejudice. An Australia that is stronger because it stands together, united not defeated, today, tomorrow and always."

May we live up to this, and be braver, kinder, and more committed to standing against hatred in all its forms.

Mr ALISTER HENSKENS ( Wahroonga )—It is appropriate for this Australia’s oldest Parliament to move this condolence motion in the wake of an event that will go down in infamy namely the mass terrorist inspired murder at Bondi of 15 innocent people a little over a week ago.

On behalf of the community in the Wahroonga electorate that I have the privilege to represent, I offer my deepest condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of those who lost their lives or were injured in the horrific attack.

I want you all to know that we stand united in grief and solidarity with everyone that has been affected by this devastating, and senseless act of violence.

The events at Bondi on the 14th of December have left a permanent mark on our state and our nation. Today, we mourn the 15 innocent lives taken and acknowledge the profound pain that will be carried by survivors and families for the rest of their lives.

We acknowledge and pay tribute to the first responders, especially the police and medical teams, and ordinary citizens who were heroes, and had courage and compassion in the face of unimaginable horror.

This attack was not just an assault on individuals; it was an attack on the values we hold so dear in Australia. Freedom, tolerance, safety, and respect for human life. It is what makes our country the best place in the world. It reminds us that we cannot be complacent in the face of extremism and hate. The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.

At the time of the attacks, I was celebrating Chanukah on the Green in St Ives with Julian Leeser MP, our local Rabbis, councillors and the vibrant Jewish community of the North Shore. Our community had come together, just like the community in Bondi, to celebrate light and love.

We were celebrating what seemed like a better time at the end of this terrible year of antisemitism and especially the hate of last summer had appeared to subside. Just before the first candle had been lit, we received the horrible news of shootings in Bondi. We knew no details, but we feared the worst.

Of the 15 victims each had a family and friends who are grieving their loss as I deliver this speech.

Included in the victims was a beautiful little girl of 10 years of age called Matilda. Matilda was killed by a stranger. Her life was unfairly cut short from the life that she, her family and friends should have reasonably expected lay before her.

Hatred like the hate that killed Matilda is true evil and it has been going on for much too long both here and in other parts of the world. It has no place in our city and in our country.

85 years ago my father lost a friend like Matilda in the Netherlands whom he befriended in a walking club that he was a member of. They were two teenagers of different religions and backgrounds who became friends.

Like Matilda, she was killed in the Holocaust with the rest of her family for no reason other than she was Jewish. My father never forgot her and continued to grieve her death every ANZAC day as he remembered the worst things about World War Two.

Events like those at Bondi will also have a lasting impact on those who were involved.

Even though it is not always easy, we must stand up and speak out again such hatred. As leaders of our communities, it is incumbent on us to lead with strength and unmoveable determination.

We must respond with resolve, ensuring that such atrocities never happen again. Our response must be guided by our principles to protect life, uphold justice, and preserve the freedoms that define our democracy.

We owe it to the victims and their families to strengthen our laws, bring the community together and confront the ideologies that seek to divide us. This means working closely with law enforcement and security agencies, investing in prevention strategies, and fostering education that promotes tolerance and mutual respect.

It means ensuring that our laws are robust enough to deal with those who incite violence, while safeguarding the rights and liberties that underpin our society. We must also support programs that build resilience in communities, counter radicalisation, and provide pathways away from hate.

In the aftermath of the attack, I was privilege to join a ceremony of mourning and the lighting of the third candle of Chanukah in St Ives. The wisdom, grace, peace and common sense that came from the speeches and prayers of the five Rabbis who attended was incredible. It is something that I will never forget.

Today, as we condemn violence and hatred, I want to reaffirm that every group in our community including the Jewish community is an integral part of our shared identity in New South Wales.

Each group when committed to peace, enriches our society and strengthen our democracy. We will not allow fear or prejudice to undermine that contribution. Instead, we will stand shoulder to shoulder with all communities, united against those individuals who seek to spread division and hate.

Violent hatred, in any form, has no place in our state or our country. We must call it out, confront it, and ensure that those who promote it are held to account.

It is up to us, as elected representatives for our communities, to ensure that real action is taken now. We must not let the lives of the 15 innocent people murdered be in vain. If good can come from tragedy, it must be that we don’t let hate flourish like it has been allowed to over the last two years.

Ever since the protest on the steps of the Sydney Opera House in 2023, we have seen hatred on our streets levelled against the Jewish community. It must stop.

We must ensure that this Parliament makes proper laws to ensure that a tragedy like this doesn’t happen again. May the memory of the victims inspire us to act with compassion and determination, ensuring that love triumphs over hate and unity over division.

Once again on behalf of my electorate of Wahroonga, can I extend our heartfelt condolences to every family grieving today. We share your sorrow, and we commit to ridding our community of antisemitism wherever it is.

Together, we will ensure that the light of hope shines brighter than the darkness of hate.

I commend this motion to the House.