Australia news live: parliament opens with minute of silence for Bondi terror attack victims; PM tells Jewish community ‘you are not alone’

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and parliamentarians stand for a minute’s silence during a condolence motion for the Bondi terror attack victims at Parliament House in Canberra on Monday morning. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPThe prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and parliamentarians stand for a minute’s silence during a condolence motion for the Bondi terror attack victims at Parliament House in Canberra on Monday morning. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPShow key events onlyPlease turn on JavaScript to use this featureFrom 37m agoPM moves condolence motion in parliamentAnthony Albanese is moving a condolence motion for the victims of the Bondi attack, which the parliament will spend most of the day on.Albanese will speak first, followed by Sussan Ley, Richard Marles, David Littleproud, Mark Dreyfus and Julian Leeser. Dreyfus and Leeser are both Jewish MPs.Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and parliamentarians stand for a minute’s silence. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPThe motion gives the parliament’s heartfelt condolences, condemns the atrocity, condemns the evil of antisemitism and vows action to eradicate it, honours the courage of first responders, acknowledges the long-lasting trauma, expresses admiration for the heroes of Bondi, affirms the right of Jewish Australians to live in peace and safety and stands together in the spirit of national unity.The house has a minute of silence before the PM begins: Fifteen innocent people for whom today should be just another Monday morning. Another day in this beautiful country they loved, in the embrace of the family and friends they adored. Another day in busy lives, reaching passion and purpose, defined by hard work and by humour. Another day devoted to others serving their community, nourishing their faith. Another day of school holidays. Instead, our parliament comes together in sorrow to offer our nation’s condolences to the people who knew and loved them best. Key events14m agoLey says parliament must 'face uncomfortable truths'37m agoPM moves condolence motion in parliament1h agoAnthony Albanese says One Nation popularity a ‘worry’1h agoGovernment hasn’t yet considered ‘board of peace’ invitation, Albanese says2h agoBoy bitten by shark in Sydney harbour in for the ‘fight of his life’ today2h agoNew figures show Australians own more than 4.1m firearms3h agoCaviar, crab sticks and … artisanal cheese? Sydney’s new fish market finally opens3h agoBurke: 'bizarre' if Coalition opposes split hate speech laws3h agoMarles welcomes Trump invitation to Australia but no decision on joining3h agoPoll shift: Barnaby Joyce ‘humbled’ by growing support for One Nation3h agoAustralia invited to join Trump's 'board for peace'3h agoWelcomeShow key events onlyPlease turn on JavaScript to use this featureAllegra Spender, the member for Wentworth who represents the area of Bondi, speaks next.She says 14 December is one of the darkest days of modern Australia, and that our country, “will never be the same, nor should it be.”She names the 15 killed in the terror attack and says, “people are not gone if we continue to say their names and remember them.”She calls on everyone, including MPs in the House to focus on unity and social cohesion. People are angry now and rightly so but in [Rabbi Yehoram Ulman’s] words Australia must become a nation where kindness is louder than hate, where decency is stronger than fair. This was the most violent attack of hatred in modern Australia. And I do believe that we as a country can emerge more united, was steadfastly committed to our common values and our shared humanity than ever before. The stories from Bondi show us the way. The courage and the care of those Australians show us the way. This is what we owe those we have lost. This is how we honour their pleasant memories, and as Rabbi Ulman reminds us, this work is urgent. Let us not wait for tomorrow, let us start today. Ley says parliament must 'face uncomfortable truths'Ley says antisemitism has “festered” in Australia since the 7 October attack in Israel. Antisemitic hate fuelled the terrorists on 14 December but it came out of the shadows in October 2023. It walked our streets. It marched over our bridges. It took over our landmarks. It camped in universities, it painted graffiti on our buildings. It firebombed our places of worship. It sent children to school behind locked gates and armed guards. Like a slow creeping disease, it festered in plain sight. Jewish Australians do not feel safe and if Jewish Australians do not feel safe, then no Australian feels safe. You warned of this menacing storm and you said you felt unheard. The Coalition heard you. We must unite as a parliament to confront and defeat this evil. To do so, we must face uncomfortable truths. Radical Islamist extremism caused this. She ends on a similar note to the prime minister, saying Australia must strive to ensure the memories of those killed become a “blessing”.Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and parliamentarians stand for a minutes silence during a condolence motion. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPPrime Minister Anthony Albanese arrives in the House of Representatives at Parliament House. Photograph: Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty ImagesSussan Ley: ‘How did this happen, and how can we make sure it never happens again?’Anthony Albanese ends, calling on Australians to respect each other, look after each other and bring light into each others’ lives. That is how all of us can help repair and strengthen the fabric of our nation. How we heal and move forward in a spirit of national unity, where light triumphs over darkness. It is how we honour the heroes of Bondi and how we ensure that the 15 people we remember and honour today are never forgotten. May their memories be a blessing. The opposition leader, Sussan Ley stands up next, acknowledging the victim survivors and their families sitting in the gallery of the House today. She names the 15 who were killed on 14 December. This deadly and deliberate attack on Jews on Australian soil was on the first night of Hanukkah, the festival of lights, a night that should have been filled with joy and hope, not darkness and hate. Many never imagined such a horror could take place on our shores but it did. People who were there told me their stories, covering their children with their bodies, running to safety, screaming and searching for loved ones. While part of them felt no surprise, just the cold weight of expectation realised. We honour those we lost by answering this question - how did this happen and how can we make sure it never happens again? Albanese tells Jewish Australians: ‘You are not alone’The families of those killed at Bondi are in the public gallery for the condolence motion.Albanese acknowledges them and all those watching from home. He tells the Jewish community, “you are not alone”. We say to all of you who have travelled here today and to those watching at home, on your long road to healing, Australia will be by your side. Just as our nation came together one week after Bondi to light candles against the darkness, we must continue to raise our voices against the silence. While the massacre at Bondi Beach was cruel and senseless, it was not random. Jewish Australians were the target. As we offer our love, sympathy and solidarity to everyone bearing the weight of trauma and loss, we make it clear to every Jewish Australian, you are not alone. Albanese also pays tribute to the first responders and heroes who helped at Bondi beach on 14 December. The prime minister says he has asked the governor general to create a special honours list so Australians can nominate those heroes for formal recognition. Their bravery is inspiring and it was instinctive. They didn’t need to know the names of the people they faced gun fire to help. They did not stop to think about faith or nationality. Their bond was more profound than that. Their bravery was an act of shared humanity and that is the spirit in which Australians have responded every day since. PM moves condolence motion in parliamentAnthony Albanese is moving a condolence motion for the victims of the Bondi attack, which the parliament will spend most of the day on.Albanese will speak first, followed by Sussan Ley, Richard Marles, David Littleproud, Mark Dreyfus and Julian Leeser. Dreyfus and Leeser are both Jewish MPs.Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and parliamentarians stand for a minute’s silence. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPThe motion gives the parliament’s heartfelt condolences, condemns the atrocity, condemns the evil of antisemitism and vows action to eradicate it, honours the courage of first responders, acknowledges the long-lasting trauma, expresses admiration for the heroes of Bondi, affirms the right of Jewish Australians to live in peace and safety and stands together in the spirit of national unity.The house has a minute of silence before the PM begins: Fifteen innocent people for whom today should be just another Monday morning. Another day in this beautiful country they loved, in the embrace of the family and friends they adored. Another day in busy lives, reaching passion and purpose, defined by hard work and by humour. Another day devoted to others serving their community, nourishing their faith. Another day of school holidays. Instead, our parliament comes together in sorrow to offer our nation’s condolences to the people who knew and loved them best. It’s tomorrow or nothing says PM on hate speech lawsSpeaking to ABC radio Melbourne, the PM again says it’s up to the Coalition to explain why they have “walked away” from anti vilification laws which he says were recommended by the antisemitism envoy, Jillian Segal.Asked point blank by Raff Epstein whether the laws – if not passed tomorrow – will be abandoned forever, Albanese says “correct”.Albanese then criticises the Coalition for saying the whole process has been “rushed” when they themselves were calling for parliament to be recalled late last year. It’s up to the Coalition in particular to explain why it is that they said they wanted the report implemented in full. And when they’ve had the opportunity [they’ve] walked away from it, just like it’s up to them to explain why it is they call for Parliament to be resumed and pass all these laws before December. We’re not a government that puts things up over and over again to see them defeated. Albanese says the government after this will be focused on other issues like the cost of living, health and childcare.Earlier my colleague, Tom McIlroy, brought you new stats from the government on gun ownership.You can have a closer look at the number of firearms in Australia and the number of owners here:New figures show Australians own more than 4.1m firearmsNew figures show Australians own more than 4.1m firearmsAnthony Albanese says One Nation popularity a ‘worry’The PM has also been riding the media train this morning, and spoke to KIIS FM’s Kyle and Jackie O earlier.Asked about the latest Newspoll results showing One Nation’s primary vote rising above the Coalition’s – Anthony Albanese said it’s a “worry”. It’s a worry because they can appeal to grievance, but they’re a pretty divisive lot … I’m a believer in mainstream politics and that the parties of government, it’s important. Served this country pretty well. I look at overseas where you have a real fragmentation and, you know, you might have five or six parties in government and it’s unstable. Italy, of course, was famous for a while there, changing governments every year. And so, I mean, it’s a reality that the Coalition in particular have to deal with. The results showed One Nation’s primary vote increased to 22%, just ahead of the Coalition’s primary vote of 21%. Meanwhile the government had seen a slight tick down to a primary vote of 32%.Government hasn’t yet considered ‘board of peace’ invitation, Albanese saysAlbanese is asked whether the government will join Donald Trump’s board of peace initiative, that would be used to progress the Gaza ceasefire agreement.The PM confirmed the invitation – which has been sent to other leaders including Canada and Turkey – arrived last night.But he won’t say whether Australia will join the board. I haven’t looked in detail yet … Something has come in, my understanding is overnight. And I’ll have a look at that when I’m in the office this morning. But I’m not going to respond to something that I haven’t had the opportunity to give proper consideration to. PM calls on opposition to support ‘hate group’ listingsThe bill that would create a new “hate group listing” still hangs in the balance, but the government’s anti-vilification measures have been dumped – with no support from either party.Speaking to ABC radio Sydney, the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, says the measures were part of the antisemitism envoy’s recommendations – which the Coalition has pushed for the government to implement in full: The opposition said that they supported the antisemitism envoy’s report, wanted it implemented in full, but when it came to us presenting the laws, they walked away from them. That’s up to them to explain why they did that. On the hate group listing, the government has already signalled two groups – the National Socialist Network (which has already said it will disband) and Hizb ut-Tahrir – will likely be listed.The PM calls on the opposition to support it: This organisation [Hizb ut-Tahrir] that essentially has a very dangerous ideological position, promotes extremism at the moment has been allowed to continue to exist for a number of years. We want to have the power to be able to list it and to outlaw it. And I think that is a common-sense position. Boy bitten by shark in Sydney harbour in for the ‘fight of his life’ todayNick VisserThe 12-year-old boy bitten by a large shark at a popular Sydney harbour beach yesterday is in for the “fight of his life today” after suffering critical injuries to both of his legs, NSW police officials said.Superintendent Joe Mcnulty, the commander of NSW police marine area command, said emergency officials responded within minutes after receiving a triple zero call, saying the boy had been attacked by a shark at Nielsen Park around 4.21pm. He praised the quick work of the boy’s friends, all around the same age, including one who pulled him from the water. The actions of his mates who’ve gone into the water and pulled him out have been nothing but brave. Mcnulty added the conditions of the water in Sydney harbour, swollen with freshwater from days of heavy rain, had made it the “perfect storm environment” for a shark incident as much of the harbour is now brackish with bad visibility.The boy is now “fighting for his life”, Mcnulty added. The actions between police [and emergency officials] were extraordinary. It was a textbook recovery to give this boy a fighting chance for his survival. He’s in for the fight of his life today. What are the sticking points for the Coalition on hate speech bill?As we know, the government and opposition are in talks on one of the hate speech bills that would deal with hate crimes and increasing the grounds to revoke or refuse visas for people with extremist views seeking to come to Australia. Anti vilification provisions within the legislation have been abandoned entirely.So what is the opposition negotiating on? Well, we don’t yet know.Earlier on RN Breakfast, Andrew Wallace wouldn’t give us any details: I’m not going to go into details with you about what sticking points there may or may not be, but there are certain processes which I’m sure that you would respect that the party has to go through. When pressed on why the Coalition was now negotiating when it had just days ago called the bill “pretty unsalvageable”, Wallace hit back saying that the government had said the bill was “unsplittable” - i.e things change and politics is a moving feast.Shadow treasurer, Ted O’Brien also wouldn’t say much when on the Today show earlier this morning: We’ll be discussing with the government today, and I obviously won’t be pre-empting those negotiations on morning TV, other than to say that we are very genuine in wanting to ensure that we deliver something in the national interest. We’re not here to try to make sure we fix Albanese’s problem, because he’s created it with this mess of a process. If there is something with which we can agree, we’ll be there in a heartbeat. We do have concerns and we’ve already expressed some of those concerns and there’ll be further discussions with the government today. In pictures: here’s a look at who’s been walking down the corridors of parliament this morningThe blokes of parliament have been out in full force this morning.Minister for the Environment Murray Watt speaks to the media at Parliament House in Canberra. Photograph: Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty ImagesShadow attorney-general Andrew Wallace doing a doorstop in the press gallery hallway. Photograph: Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty ImagesDeputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles speaks to the media after multiple interviews. Photograph: Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty ImagesCoalition defends push to recall parliament last yearThe government has been throwing up the argument that the Coalition called on the prime minister to recall parliament in December, to immediately deal with Bondi, but is claiming that Labor’s legislation is now being “rushed”.So what does the Coalition have to say about the timing?The shadow attorney general, Andrew Wallace, tells RN Breakfast that had parliament been recalled last year, like they did in NSW, the parliament could have more properly considered the hate speech bill(s). Sussan Ley called for the parliament to resume in the same way that Chris Minns resumed parliament before Christmas, an emergency sitting so that we could thrash these things out as early as possible. If we had done that, if we had come back, as Susan suggested, before Christmas, we could have been well and truly down the track of a proper consideration of this bill or now two bills. What we saw instead was an absolute shambles in the process. Just a note here: the NSW government recalled parliament last year to immediately limit the number of guns a person can own, crack down on protests and the display of prohibited symbols. The Coalition hasn’t yet said whether it will support the federal government’s gun reforms.Major parties accuse each other of politicising Bondi attackStaying on RN Breakfast, Murray Watt has accused the Coalition of “rampant politicisation” of the terror attack, and says: I think unfortunately, what we saw within about 24 hours of the Bondi incident was people like Sussan Ley and a range of her other party members out there attacking the prime minister, attacking the government, demanding the parliament be recalled, demanding that changes be made that they’re now not prepared to support. Host, Sally Sara, puts that to the shadow attorney general, Andrew Wallace, who gets in the hot seat after Watt and says he “refutes” the suggestion that the Coalition has been politicking. When the Labor party is in trouble, when they pull out the unity card, and the prime minister’s conduct, and quite frankly, the leaders within the Labor party, has been absolutely appalling … The prime minister expected that this would be a political problem that he could ride out: that people such as yourselves, the media, and Australians would just forget about it over Christmas. Well, Australians didn’t … the prime minister totally misread the room on this. Watt concerned conservative states moving away from national cabinet guns agreementThe difficulty the federal government faces on gun control, is that most measures have to be done through the states – where the likes of Tasmania, the Northern Territory and Queensland have already rejected the commonwealth’s to split costs for a national buyback 50/50.Jumping back to Murray Watt speaking to RN Breakfast, the Queensland senator says he is concerned that states like his are moving away from an agreement reached by national cabinet last year to limit gun ownership.While the Greens have promised to support the government’s gun control legislation that would establish the buyback, Watt also pushes the Coalition to support it too. It’s important to recognise that the commonwealth government’s powers in relation to guns only go so far. There’s a remainder, a range of other issues to do with guns around, for example, limits on the number of guns that people can own that would need to be dealt with by state governments … It’s worrying to see some of the conservative states, including Queensland, moving away from that [national cabinet] agreement. There’s a question for the Coalition this week – are they seriously going to oppose the kind of gun buyback that John Howard put in place after Port Arthur? Guns handed in to the Tasmanian police during a gun buyback campaign in 2017. Photograph: Tasmanian policeNew figures show Australians own more than 4.1m firearmsTom McIlroyNew federal government figures show Australians own more than 4.1m firearms, with Queensland and NSW leading the nation for gun registration.The home affairs minister, Tony Burke, released the numbers ahead of parliament considering tough new rules and the creation of a buyback scheme in response to the Bondi Beach shootings. Labor has secured support from the Greens to pass legislation through parliament establishing the buyback program.Firearms owned compared with firearms licencesAbout 260,000 licence holders in NSW own 1.15m guns, just ahead of Queensland’s 231,000 licence holders, who own a combined 1.14m. Victoria has 243,000 registered owners, and about 975,000 weapons.Burke said nationally consistent laws were needed: The deadly antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach is a national tragedy which can never be allowed to happen again. Our number one priority is keeping all Australians safe. That’s why we’re finishing the work of the Howard government and getting dangerous guns off our streets. Firearms statistics from Australia’s Department of Home Affairs. Photograph: Department of Home AffairsLabor cabinet ministers are hitting the airwaves hard this morning, piling pressure on the Coalition to pass their reforms, and attacking “internal divisions” in the opposition.Environment minister Murray Watt is speaking to the ABC’s Radio National Breakfast program, and like the prime minister last week, says now is the time for “national unity”. We’re obviously still in negotiations with the coalition when it comes to the remainder of those laws regarding hate crimes. We are, again, very hopeful that they will support those laws ... \We know that the Coalition has very significant internal divisions, but it’s really important this week that they can demonstrate they can put national unity ahead of their internal divisions and support those changes to the law. 1 of 2NextOldestOldest