Condolence motions following the Bondi attack have now been debated in both State and Federal Parliament. Both of Lismore’s representatives delivered speeches shaped by loss and solidarity.

Speaking in Federal Parliament yesterday, Kevin Hogan addressed the motion acknowledging the trauma felt by families, survivors and communities across the country.

“I rise to commend this motion. Obviously, a lot of very heartfelt speeches have been made today. There's been a lot of grief and trauma in this chamber today. We've had survivors and families of the victims here, and we respect and pay our acknowledgements to them,” he said.

Mr Hogan described the events of 14 December as a moment that has permanently altered the national psyche.

“We literally had evil, in its worst form, walking on the soil of Bondi… Australia has changed forever. Bondi has changed everything, and I'm sure a lot of us agree on that,” he said.

He spoke at length about the randomness and brutality of the violence, the symbolism of Bondi as a location, and the fear and hatred directed at people because of their faith.

“There are lots of forms of evil, but there's a form of evil in our country called Islamic extremism,” Mr Hogan said. “Islamic extremists hate people of a certain different religion. We have to acknowledge that. In acknowledging that, we can arm ourselves to do what we need to do to combat it.”

Mr Hogan also reflected on visiting Bondi shortly after the attack.

“You could feel the grief. You could feel an emotion in the air, almost coming from the clouds. It was oppressive,” he said. “It was very traumatic just being there.”

Despite the horror, he noted moments of unity, including spontaneous singing of the national anthem and Waltzing Matilda, before closing with words of support.

“I commend this motion and give my love and wishes to the Jewish community in our country,” he said.

Those sentiments closely echoed words spoken late last year in State Parliament by Janelle Saffin, when Parliament was recalled early to address the same tragedy.

“I rise today to speak in support of this condolence motion, and I do so with a heavy heart,” Ms Saffin told the chamber. “We honour the memory of the fifteen innocent people who were killed. Each of these wonderful people mattered. Each person was cherished. Each person leaves behind family, friends and communities forever changed.”

Ms Saffin extended condolences on behalf of the state, saying, “I hope you know that the Parliament of New South Wales, the people of NSW, and the NSW Government led by our Premier Chris Minns stand with you. That your grief is shared. That your loved ones will be remembered.”

She spoke directly about the impact on the Jewish community and the enduring nature of trauma.

“The trauma experienced by witnesses, first responders, by everyone there cannot be overestimated, by our Jewish community most of all - who have once again been forced to confront fear and insecurity simply for practising their faith,” she said.

Grounding her speech in her home community, Ms Saffin shared what she had heard locally.

“In Lismore, where I live and serve, members of our Jewish community have told me of their shock, their sadness, and their concern for their children and families,” she said.

She described attending vigils in both Sydney and Lismore.

“In Lismore, people gathered to lay flowers at the Rotary Peace Pole in Lismore's Riverside Park. There we stood shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with our Jewish community – our community.”

As Minister for Recovery, Ms Saffin drew on her experience supporting communities through disaster.

“Healing requires more than resources. It requires listening. It requires presence. It requires trust. It requires a sense that you are not alone. And above all, it requires action,” she said.

“This motion is a collective declaration of who we are and what we stand for.”

Across two parliaments, the messages from Lismore’s representatives have been consistent: grief shared, hatred rejected, and community upheld.