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Albanese: ‘I am deeply and profoundly sorry that we could not protect your loved ones’
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is now giving his speech.
My fellow Australians, tonight should have been nothing more than a regular Thursday night.
Our beautiful city, brightened by the light of another 15 lives. 15 lives illuminated by possibility, opportunity and dreams. Tragically, we are gathered here tonight because, on 14 December, everything changed.
And for that, I am sorry.
We cherish the promise that this country is a safe harbour. But sadly that promise was broken.
You came to celebrate a festival of light and freedom and you were met with the violence of hatred.
I am deeply and profoundly sorry that we could not protect your loved ones from this evil.
The crowd erupted in applause after he apologised for the tragedy.
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Rabbi Eli Schlanger is being remembered as a person who “made sure to take notice of every single person and what they needed.”
Members of his family have recalled their favourite parts of his character in a video shows to the audience. One family member said:
Whenever he walked into my house, which was super often, I felt very cosy and hugged.
Another said:
If it wasn’t about his kids and his family, it was about his community. I think that is why he had so much joy because he was a giver.
A video was also shown for Tibor Weitzen, with this wife and daughter recalling their favourite memories about him.
His daughter said:
We talked about everything and anyone. Books, politics, music.
He didn’t want anybody to be harmed. He didn’t want anybody to suffer. And I think these days, when we are going through … I think he would say ‘stop it’.
A video dedicated to Boris and Sofia Gurman, who were killed in the attack, is now being shown.
Their son described Boris as the calming presence in the family, and Sofia as the “go-to person for expertise”.
He said:
Every good characteristic I embody now, I owe entirely to them. If given the choice a million times over, I would choose the same upbringing, the same parents, the same value set. Nothing would change. Because candidly I think I have hit the jackpot.
Minns ended his speech by saying “just as you reclaim Bondi beach, tonight, you have taken back the Opera House as well”.
He continued:
That’s what exactly the Opera House is for – not a place of hate with loudspeakers and racism, flares and hateful symbols – but a location of peace and unity. Tonight, we gather in our most important building to bring out the best in Australia. Thank you.
Minns thanked the opposition leader, Kellie Sloane, and the people and emergency services who rushed to the scene to help the night of the attack.
I hope tonight sends a very clear message to you from everyone else in Australia, you are not alone as you mourn. I hope you have seen that in the actions of young police officers like Scott Dyson and Jack Hibbert, who would not have missed tonight and we’re very happy they’re here. In the surf life savers, in the paramedics who rushed to the scene.
I want to include the leader of the opposition in New South Wales, Kellie Sloane, who did exactly the same thing.
In the people that lined up in blood banks, and the thousands of who paddled out in Bondi, these people represent the real Australia.
Standing ovation for Ahmed al-Ahmed
Minns has paid homage to Ahmed al-Ahmed, who disarmed one of the alleged shooters.
Al-Ahmed stood up when after his name was mentioned and received his own standing ovation and large cheers from the crowd. He waved out to them, still recovering with his arm in a black sling.
Minns said we “must also accept that words lead to actions”.
He said:
It’s intolerable for anyone to suggest that another Australian doesn’t deserve a safe space. Cultural or any other kind. Everyone deserves safety, it’s the minimum obligation of a civilised society.
And lastly, we unabashedly take pride in the parts of Australian life that are intrinsically part of our character and our country – democracy, freedom, respect and equality – and should someone refuse these basic and non-negotiable aspects of our country, we have to have the confidence to say that Australia is just not the country for you.
Minns has said “we must take action and indeed, we must change”.
He continued:
I think we start with fighting hate wherever we see it. Antisemitism, it’s corrosive to our community and it’s everyone’s responsibility to stand up against it.
NSW premier addresses memorial
Chris Minns said:
Today’s date for this national day of mourning was chosen after speaking with the Chabad community. Who in a poignant gesture, asked that this evening coincide with the shosham, the one-month mark following the death and burial of a loved one. Many rabbis have told us while the pain remains and the grief continues, the one month mark is a transition, where we begin to search for meaning, to find purpose, to take action, and even to ask questions. Sometimes difficult questions.
In the midst of our grief, many people in our country have asked, can this nation truly live up to its promise that we would accept anyone, anywhere, and have them live side by side in peace and safety, free to live your life, raise your family, and practise your religion? It’s a bitter reality to realise this was a dark and evil crime committed here in Australia.
The NSW premier, Chris Minns, has now stepped up to speak.
He received a 15 second standing ovation as he walked on to the stage.
A video tribute to Reuven Morrison is now being shown, with members of his family sharing memories of him.
His daughter said:
We managed to do so much together in our 43 years together. It was not a boring life. We managed to live three lives together, not one life. His love was not something you just felt, it’s something you saw in every inch of him, in a smile, the way his eyes crinkled, the way his shoulders shook when he laughed. He loved his friends and family so loyally and so fiercely. That was something never taken for granted.
His wife said:
The number of people who called me and told me and came to see me, they said, thank you. Because of his courage, because of his loyalty, because of his care for his community that they are alive today. It gives me strength and that is and was my husband.
A video is now being played to give tribute to Peter Meagher, a photographer who was killed in the attack.
His wife said her first memory of Peter was their first date.
She said:
We went to a rugby match, because we both loved rugby. I remember thinking he was very protective, possibly because he was an active policeman at the time. There was a presence about him that was comforting. Gently comforting. Peter was quiet. He was gentle.
I wear his wedding ring around my neck. I wear it close to my heart. Because, he will always be there. My little piece of Peter for ever. Thank you for picking me. I’m grateful. And honoured. Thank you for being you.
When the song concluded, the crowd again gave him a standing ovation and began chanting his name.
