In a sombre display of national unity, the Australian parliament has convened for a special two-day sitting, its first act a minute's silence for the victims of the Bondi Junction terror attack. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led federal politicians in the poignant tribute during a formal condolence motion.
Crossbench Negotiations on Hate Speech Reforms
The special parliamentary session, called in response to the tragedy, has become the crucible for a potential political compromise. Shadow cabinet, under Deputy Liberal Leader Sussan Ley, has agreed to work with the Albanese government to pass its revised hate speech legislation. Shadow Home Affairs Minister Jonathon Duniam confirmed the Coalition was engaging "in good faith" after high-level talks between Ley and the Prime Minister aimed at finding a workable solution.
This push for bipartisan agreement comes despite a poignant warning from the parents of the attack's youngest victim, Matilda. They cautioned that laws rushed through in the emotional aftermath of a tragedy are "never good," urging careful deliberation.
Emotional Scenes in the House
The condolence motions prompted raw and emotional reflections from MPs. Labor member Josh Burns recounted the moment fear struck him upon hearing news of the attack at Westfield Bondi Junction. Former Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus was visibly moved while speaking about the "families and friends left behind" to grieve.
Meanwhile, in other political news, Prime Minister Albanese is considering an invitation from former US President Donald Trump to join a proposed Gaza 'board of peace'. This move is being weighed despite concerns it could potentially undermine existing United Nations-led efforts in the region.
Other National and International Headlines
The special sitting occurred against a backdrop of other significant events. Authorities are investigating after a woman was found dead on the popular tourist island K'gari (Fraser Island). In Spain, a high-speed train crash has left at least 21 people dead. Closer to home, Sydney Harbour saw its second shark incident in two days, prompting police warnings.
In sporting news, Australian tennis star Alex de Minaur eased into the second round of the Australian Open with a routine win, while Storm Hunter led the local charge on day two with a straight-sets victory.
Culture, Protest, and the Wealth Divide
In Perth, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds made a fierce return to Australian stages after nine years, delivering a two-and-a-half-hour set to a crowd of 10,000 at Fremantle Park. On the global stage, climate justice protesters at the World Economic Forum in Davos accused corporations of fuelling crises for profit.
Oxfam Australia's chief executive, Jennifer Tierney, highlighted stark economic divisions, revealing new analysis showing Australian billionaires increased their wealth by almost $600,000 a day on average over the past year, as global billionaire wealth hit US$18.3 trillion. "What we're seeing is tax systems that work for the wealthy," Tierney stated.
As the special sitting continues, the nation watches to see if political unity in grief can translate into consensus on one of the government's most contentious policy reforms.
