A sombre and emotional atmosphere descended upon Parliament on Monday as MPs from across the political spectrum paid heartfelt tributes to the victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack, with several members breaking down during the special session.
Parliament Observes Silence as Names of Victims Are Read
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese opened the proceedings by leading a minute's silence, a gesture he said echoed with the weight of the 15 innocent lives lost. He then solemnly read each victim's name, a moment that prompted Labor MP Ali France to visibly 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," Mr Albanese told the chamber. He praised the extraordinary courage of the victims' families present, stating their presence helped Parliament understand the profound depth of the loss.
"From the depths of grief, you have summoned remarkable strength," the Prime Minister said. "You have given us a glimpse of who your loved ones were, how much they meant, and how brave they proved themselves to be." He also reaffirmed the nation's solidarity with Australia's Jewish community.
Raw Emotion as MPs Reflect on Lives Shattered
The raw emotion continued as Labor's Mark Dreyfus, who is Jewish and a former attorney-general, addressed the chamber. Visibly overcome, he painted a poignant picture of the void left behind for families and friends.
"A home left quieter, clothes still hanging in wardrobes, photos on walls that will never be updated," Mr Dreyfus said. "Children asking when someone is coming home. A seat left empty at the table, a laugh no longer heard."
He emphasised that the impact of the attack resonated far beyond the Jewish community. "You don't have to be Jewish to feel this in your chest. An attack like this hurts all of us." He concluded by invoking a traditional Jewish prayer for mourners.
Calls for Action and a Royal Commission
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley used her address to issue a stark warning about the rise of antisemitism in Australia, which she said had surged since October 2023. "Like a slow creeping disease it festered – in plain sight," she stated.
Ms Ley was unequivocal in attributing the attack's cause, stating, "Radical Islamist Extremism caused this. I repeat. Radical Islamist Extremism caused this." She argued that victims and Jewish Australians were owed an apology for the time it took the government to call for a Federal Royal Commission into the attack.
Condolence speeches continued throughout Monday, with the government set to introduce legislation responding to the attack when Parliament resumes on Tuesday.
