ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Thanks for joining us. And I'm joined by AFP Commissioner, Krissy Barrett, and Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke. Today I confirm that the Federal and New South Wales Governments have declared Sunday 21st of December, a Day of Reflection to honour the victims of the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi Beach and to stand in solidarity with the Jewish community.
The Albanese Government will establish a National Gun Buyback Scheme to purchase surplus, newly banned and illegal firearms – the largest since the Howard Government in 1996.
This is another part of the Government’s response to Sunday’s deadly antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach.
Australia’s gun laws were last substantially reformed in the wake of the Port Arthur tragedy.
Sunday’s deadly ISIS inspired antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach highlights the need to finish the job the Howard Government started on gun reform.
The Federal and NSW Governments have declared Sunday 21 December a Day of Reflection to honour the victims of the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi Beach and to stand in solidarity with the Jewish community.
The Commonwealth and State government will also work closely with the Jewish community on arrangements for a National Day of Mourning to be held in the New Year. This will allow families the time and space to lay their loved ones to rest and to support those still recovering.
In response to Sunday’s terrorist attack the Albanese Government is investing $42.6 million in immediate mental health supports to meet the needs of those impacted.
This package of supports includes dedicated funding to support the Jewish community, the broader Bondi community, first responders, children and young people.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: I’ll make some comments and then be followed by the Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, Jillian Segal, Commissioner Krissy Barrett, Minister Tony Burke, and then Minister Jason Clare. And then we’ll be happy to take questions. There is no place in Australia for antisemitism. It is an evil that tears at the fabric of our country. It puts the peaceful, free and equal society that we cherish at risk. Sadly, since the terrible events of October 2023, we have witnessed an increase in antisemitism, which is of course an ancient hatred.
There is no place in Australia for antisemitism. It is an evil that tears at the fabric of our country. It puts the peaceful, free and equal society we cherish at risk.
Sadly, since the terrible events of October 2023 we have witnessed a series of appalling attacks targeting Australia’s Jewish community.
That culminated on Sunday in one of the worst acts of mass murder this country has ever seen.
Today, the Albanese and Minns Governments have announced an immediate support package to assist victims, their families, and small businesses impacted by the Bondi terror attack.
The package has been jointly funded by the Albanese and Minns Governments, with most elements to be funded under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), which have been activated in the wake of this attack.
Your Grace, Archbishop Anthony Fisher, the Premier of New South Wales, Christopher Minns, Rabbi Ben Elton, interfaith leaders, the Governor of New South Wales, members of the diplomatic corps, including Ambassador Amir Maimon of Israel.
Tonight, as we gather in one iconic Sydney location, we mourn the devastation inflicted at another.
At this Cathedral dedicated to our Catholic faith, we grieve for all those who were killed affirming their faith.
Jewish Australians deliberately targeted on the first night of Chanukah.
SARAH MORICE, HOST: Prime Minister, welcome to NewsRadio.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, Sarah.
MORICE: The first of the funerals, Prime Minister, gets underway today. Will you be going to any of them?
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: This morning I have, together with Her Excellency the Governor-General, visited the staff here at St. Vincent's Hospital. They are heroes. People who were rostered on, but people who were not rostered on were at local restaurants, people who travelled from as far as the Central Coast when they heard that there would be a need. Normally, on a Sunday night there is staff available to staff one operating theatre. There were eight operating at once.