Andrew Giles (Scullin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to make a brief contribution to a debate that is important, and I think it is also appropriate that the debate around the awful incidents of 13 April is conducted in Australia's parliament. I think all of us—those of us who are very familiar with Westfield Bondi, unlike me, and those of us who are from a different part of the country—remember where we were when news started to break and the horrific images started to be filtered out into the community. Those events haven't faded and the memory of them mustn't fade. I want to briefly join others, including the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, in paying my condolences to those who lost their lives and to those in mourning. I want to reflect, too, on the significance of the events more broadly and add my voice to those who have been clear in articulating that we cannot fail to remember the events and their enduring consequences. Six people were killed. Six lives were taken, and I join others in recognising the suffering of those who knew and loved Xixuan Cheng, Pikria Darchia, Ash Good, Dawn Singleton, Faraz Tahir and Jade Young. We must remember them.

We must also extend our deep appreciation to those confronted by almost unimaginably awful circumstances, who stood up and played their role, supporting those at risk and placing themselves at risk—those who ran towards the danger. I think, of course, about Inspector Amy Scott of the NSW Police Force, whose heroism has been widely recognised. I think, too, of Faraz Tahir, who was amongst those six whose lives were tragically taken from them. A refugee on his first day at work, his heroism should not be forgotten. So many people showed extraordinary bravery that day, and stepped in to help others at great cost to themselves. Many were Australian citizens; some were not. It shows us that everyone in our communities are capable of and have demonstrated that they are caring for those around us. There's no assessment of visa status in circumstances like those confronted by Damien Guerot and Muhammad Taha during those events. It was my great privilege, as Minister for Immigration, to speak to both of those gentlemen, particularly Mr Taha, who was suffering in hospital at the time, and extend the appreciation of a grateful nation in what I hope is a meaningful gesture that has been acknowledged on all sides of the parliament. I think it says a lot about the country we are, that that is so.

I want to also acknowledge the contribution of the local member, the member for Wentworth, in this place and more broadly, including in her interactions with me with respect to my responsibilities and my obligations. Her contribution in the parliament was powerful and her advocacy was significant. I want to also acknowledge the Westfield and Scentre Group and their staff for their support and the ongoing assistance they've provided for many impacted individuals and those close to them including families and others. They've worked very closely with my office and the department to ensure that support is available where victims and their families need it. I acknowledge, too, the extraordinary work of the NSW Police Force, who've supported victims as well, as they regularly do. They were there when the incident occurred, and they were also there while people continued to need support, and I'm sure that will continue to be the case.

Lastly, I want to thank the women and men of my department for their support for victims and families around events, including funerals. Ensuring that people can travel and support family members makes such a difference at a time of need. In a country like ours, a nation built on migration, I like to think this is a big part of the Australian way.

Vale to all of those who had their lives taken.