A series of MPs broke down in Parliament on Monday during heartfelt tributes to the victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese opened the special session with a minute’s silence before reading the names of the 15 people who were killed – prompting Labor MP Ali France to wipe away tears.
‘The minute of silence that we have just observed echoes with those 15 names – 15 innocent people for whom today should be just another Monday morning, another day in this beautiful country they loved, in the embrace of the family and friends they adored,’ Albanese said.
The Prime Minister praised families of the victims in attendance for their extraordinary courage.
‘We welcome all the family members and dear friends and spiritual leaders joining us here. From the depths of grief, you have summoned remarkable strength.’
He said their presence helped Parliament understand more deeply who had been lost.
‘You have given us a glimpse of who your loved ones were, how much they meant, and how brave they proved themselves to be.’
Labor MP Ali France (left) was moved to tears following the minute of silence in Parliament
Anthony Albanese (pictured) read the names of the 15 Bondi Beach terror victims in Parliament
Albanese reaffirmed support for the Jewish community, pledging solidarity with all those affected.
‘We stand together in solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community. We mourn the 15 innocent lives lost, and we acknowledge those who will carry the weight of grief and trauma for the rest of their lives.’
Labor’s Mark Dreyfus, who is Jewish and a former attorney-general, was overcome by emotion as he spoke in the chamber.
‘For every person murdered, there are families and friends left behind,’ he said.
‘A home left quieter, clothes still hanging in wardrobes, photos on walls that will never be updated. Children asking when someone is coming home. A seat left empty at the table, a laugh no longer heard, belonging to one more word, one moment, one more chance to say what was left unanswered.’
Dreyfus reflected on the attack’s wider impact on families, communities and the nation.
‘They were parents, children, neighbours and friends,’ he said.
‘You don’t have to be Jewish to feel this in your chest. An attack like this hurts all of us.’
Mark Dreyfus (pictured) also became emotional as he offered his condolences to the victims
MPs stood for a moment of silence to honour the fifteen victims of the Bondi Beach attack
Dreyfus concluded by invoking a traditional Jewish prayer for times of mourning.
‘In Jewish tradition, there is a prayer shared by mourners, a prayer about life, dignity and the hope for peace in times of profound loss.’
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley also addressed the chamber, warning that antisemitism had surged in Australia since October 2023.
‘Like a slow creeping disease it festered – in plain sight. Jewish Australians do not feel safe. And if Jewish Australians do not feel safe then no Australian feels safe,’ she said.
‘We must unite as a Parliament to confront and defeat this evil. To do so we must face uncomfortable truths. Radical Islamist Extremism caused this. I repeat. Radical Islamist Extremism caused this.’
Ley said that victims and Jewish Australians were owed ‘an apology’ for how long it took the government to call for a Federal Royal Commission into the Bondi Beach terrorist attack.
Condolence speeches will continue throughout Monday, with the government set to introduce legislation responding to the attack when Parliament resumes on Tuesday.
