McLachlan, Sen Andrew

Senator McLACHLAN (South Australia) (16:26): I wish to speak to the condolence motion that is before the Senate. My thoughts and prayers are with the families that have lost loved ones. We mourn with you. To those that displayed incredible bravery: you have my gratitude. As we move forward as a nation, we must reflect deeply on what we, as a community, have not done and, now, what we must do. We owe that to those that lost their lives, to their families and to the Jewish community. It is clear we must do so much more, especially in our institutions and their leadership. I find the words of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks in his work The Dignity of Difference offer me—and, I hope, my fellow senators—the compass bearing we need. The quote is: The greatest single antidote to violence is conversation, speaking our fears, listening to the fears of others, and in that sharing of vulnerabilities discovering a genesis of hope. As Bondi and its community slowly returns to normal—which is right, as we cannot allow the terrorists to win—I assure the families, their friends and the Jewish community: we will not forget.