Today, we come together in a National Day of Mourning to honour the 15 innocent people killed in the antisemitic Bondi Beach terrorist attack in December last year.

We stand with those whose lives were changed forever.

The theme of this day is: “Light will win – a gathering of unity and remembrance”.

It was chosen by the Chabad community in Bondi, and it is a message of hope.

After the enormity of this tragedy, this attack on their community, their message is “Light will win.”

It is a reference to the Jewish festival of lights.

Today Buildings all over the country are being illuminated. My office too has sparkling lights today.

Tonight, there will be light beams projected into the sky at 15 locations around Australia, one for each of the victims killed in the Bondi Beach attack.

This is a gathering of unity and remembrance. Just as this horrific attack united us in disbelief and horror across the country, today we can be united in mourning and honouring the lives lost. 

At 7.01pm wherever we are, we can observe the minute’s silence together.

It is in coming together in times of tragedy that we show that light will win. It is what we do. Support each other in the hardest of times.

Tonight we stand with the Jewish community, and we stand against terrorism.

Together we can pledge that Light Will Win.