Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG (Macquarie Fields—Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, Minister for Building, and Minister for Corrections) (23:29): I thank the House for this opportunity to speak. I commend the Premier for moving this very important motion and I commend all my colleagues who have spoken, or will speak, on it. On a beautiful, warm Sunday evening, Sydney's Jewish community met at our beloved Bondi Beach to celebrate Hannukah, representing the triumph of light over darkness, of freedom over oppression. What should have been a time to mark one of the most significant days for people of the Jewish faith became one of the darkest days in Australian history, with 15 innocent lives lost and their families shattered, 41 people taken to hospital, some with critical injuries, and hundreds more permanently scarred. They were simply doing something that Australians of all faiths, cultures and backgrounds like to do—spending an afternoon at the beach.

Among those who lost their lives was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a community leader who had helped organise that Sunday's event. I pay special tribute to Rabbi Schlanger tonight for his dedication to helping Jewish inmates across New South Wales prisons. Rabbi Schlanger started working as a chaplain with Corrective Services on 1 July 2022. He was the first and only rabbi involved in the chaplaincy program and he was highly regarded by both the Corrective Services workforce and the inmates he served. He travelled to every corner of this State to support, mentor and counsel Jewish inmates. His dedication to seeing the best in people and helping them to live a better life was extremely admirable. Rabbi Schlanger's wife gave birth to their fifth child just two months ago. I cannot imagine the deep pain his family is going through, having lost a father and a husband. He, and the vast impact of his work on our community, will certainly not be forgotten. I extend my deepest condolences to the rabbi's family and to the broader Jewish community. I am keeping them in my thoughts at this extremely difficult time.

I also acknowledge the other victims who were killed or injured in the Bondi attack, as well as their loved ones who have been deeply affected by this awful tragedy. I recognise the first responders and everyday heroes who raced into the danger and gave immediate comfort to those in need. There has never been a more important time to care for each other and to reject any sign of hatred, racism or antisemitism in every facet of our society. There is nothing more Australian than people from all walks of life, all faiths, gathering together peacefully at one of our most beautiful beaches on a hot summer afternoon. What happened on Sunday 14 December was an attack on the Jewish community and also on our Australian way of life.

I hope that together we can foster communities where people feel safe to live and to practise and celebrate their faith freely. That is what Australia is about—people of all faiths, from all backgrounds, regardless of how long they have lived here, being able to live freely and to practise their faith every day in every single way. Hope is a light we must refuse to extinguish. It reflects our freedom and our democracy, and our care for others as Australians.