REMARKS - ADASS ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE - MELBOURNE

TUESDAY, 10 DECEMBER 2024

NINE REPORTER: TONY BURKE WHAT’S YOUR ASSESSMENT?

 TONY BURKE: Well there are two things that need to happen. The people responsible, they need to be found and have the book thrown at them. And then the loudest message you can send, for the fact that this community belongs here, that they are part of the strength of Australia, is for this to be rebuilt stronger than ever, and for the people responsible to have an understanding that this is part of Australia, and part of the strength of us as a nation and we are not going to put up with the sort of division that drove this hatred. This is a good community, a strong community and they’ve got support across the board.

 NINE REPORTER: THE PRIME MINISTER WAS HERE EARLIER, HE WAS UNDER A BIT OF PRESSURE, IS THE GOVERNMENT IN DAMAGE CONTROL, IS THAT WHY YOU’RE HERE?

 TONY BURKE: I’m here because some Australians have been hurt, that’s why I’m here. That’s why the Prime Minister was here as well. These people are an important part of modern Australia, that’s what they are, and anyone who tries to see this through a prism of division or politics, I think, lacks the understanding of the deep humanity of the community here.

NINE REPORTER: YOU SEEM VERY MOVED BY WHAT YOU SAW IN THERE?

TONY BURKE: How can you not be? How can you not be moved, not only by.. you’re seeing two things at once.. you’re seeing unacceptable destruction driven by evil and hatred, and you’re seeing the nobility of a people determined to stay and to grow again. You couldn’t find two principles further apart. I don’t know how anyone can meet these individuals, the community here without being moved, without being impressed, and without saying this is some of the best of Australia.