Andrew Leigh (Fenner, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury) Share this | Hansard source

The shocking events at Bondi Junction have impacted many. Six lives were lost, 12 people were injured and many others were traumatised. We've heard much about the heroism of the first responders. I, too, acknowledge the extraordinary work that they did in swiftly addressing this shocking tragedy.

A member of my staff was related to Jade Young, one of the six people who died so senselessly at Bondi Junction. I asked Jade's family if they wanted something to be put on the record. So the bulk of my remarks will be statements from Elizabeth Young, the mother of Jade Young; and from Toby Halligan, Jade's cousin. I also want to acknowledge Jade's father, Ivan; her brother, PJ; her partner, Noel; her two daughters; and her many aunts, uncles, cousins and other family. This statement is from Elizabeth Young, the mother of Jade Young:

My heart is fractured and our world is shattered.

I am angry I will never have those mother/daughter moments that are so simple and precious, so mundane that you forget what the last ever conversation you had with your daughter was about.

I am angry that Jade's girls will grow up without the love and care of their mother.

I am especially angry that my beautiful, sweet, soft hearted, hard working, loving daughter was robbed of her life. Her daughters were settling into school well, school holidays had just started with the prospect of time to spend with her girls, she was about to take over a good solid architectural practice, she had the love of a good man and great friends … and finally her longed-for puppy, Teddy.

Our mental health system must be fixed. We must support those who need help and do better to manage those who pose a danger to others. And we must provide better support to the victims of violent crime.

Please take action. There is no solace to be had for our family. There will be no peace. But there must be change.

Now I want to read some words from Toby Halligan, Jade's cousin. He said:

Working in the Parliament is an enormous privilege. This is a place where we do our best to change this country for the better.

Working here while carrying the grief and trauma of Jade's death has felt like a crushing burden.

Grief is a private thing and there are no words to express the damage this has done to our family and our sadness.

But we have had to find words to share our grief, so that others can share the burden of taking action to ensure such an event can never happen again.

Please, help us share that burden.

Finally, I gave my personal condolences to the shoppers and the staff affected by this tragedy. Retail workers cop a lot and I know the impacts of this on the retail workers in the Westfield centre are considerable. Your loss and the impact that this has had on the Bondi Junction community and on the nation at large will not be forgotten.

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