Motion - Bondi Beach Terror Attacks

Wednesday 18 March 2026

[12.22 p.m.]

Ms ARMITAGE (Launceston) - Mr President, no words can adequately do justice to the tragedy or the magnitude of the crimes perpetrated on 14 December 2025. I rise today to join those who speak up for the victims, advocate for peace and reason, and condemn unequivocally, those who commit acts of such senseless violence or who fail to act to prevent them.

In Australia, we've believed that acts of terror were horrors that happened elsewhere and for many years they did. The events in Bondi on that day reminded us we're not immune to the kinds of violence we've witnessed elsewhere. This motion is not about politics, it's not about foreign policy or domestic law. It's about acknowledging the devastation inflicted on innocent people; those who were killed, those who were injured and those whose lives have forever been altered.

On a day that should have been a celebration of Jewish culture and faith, to which all were invited, the lives of so many were irreversibly changed. 15 people killed and 40 were injured. Of those killed, victims were aged from 87 years old down to 10‑year‑old Matilda. There's nothing I can say that can do justice to this loss. I will simply let her name speak for itself. Matilda, aged 10.

The target of this attack was the Jewish community celebrating the first night of Chanukah. Many who died were people who had come to Australia seeking safety, opportunity and the freedom to live and express their beliefs. While I know there will never be any justifiable answer, the absence of any answer to why only deepens the pain and the disbelief.

While we witnessed utter devastation on that day, we also saw the best of humanity. Many civilians, volunteer surf life savers and lifeguards, our first responders, police, paramedics, ambulance and countless ordinary people intervened in danger to help others, offering first aid, shelter, protection and comfort. Intolerance and hatred have many faces, but so does bravery. While so many showed grace, courage and kindness on that day, it's important to acknowledge individuals whose actions exemplified courage. Boris and Sofia Gurman, who confronted the gunman and were killed. Reuven Morrison, who attempted to disrupt the attack and lost his life. Ahmed Al-Ahmed who survived and will bear the physical and emotional scars forever. Gefen Bitton, who ran towards gunfire and was seriously injured. Tibor Weitzen, who shielded his wife, Edith, with both ultimately killed in the attack.

I can't think of a characteristic more central to the Australian identity than the willingness to put oneself in harm's way to help others and to disrupt and try to stop the attack that was unfolding. Of course, many of these people were born elsewhere and made Australia their home later in their lives. That's precisely the point. We are a nation strengthened by diversity, united by shared values of courage, compassion and a steadfast rejection of violence and intolerance. People come to Australia knowing that we robustly protect the right to express one's faith without violence, interference or intolerance. Many people who acted on 14 December believed in those values so strongly that they put themselves in harm's way to defend them and others. It's our responsibility to honour them by doing better, by supporting victims of injustice, confronting intolerance wherever it arises, and working with the determination to prevent such a tragedy from ever occurring again. I note the motion.