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.
