Source: Australia Government Statements 2
Alex Thomas, Host: We’ve seen some more powerful images from Bondi this morning with lifeguards and other first responders observing three minutes of silence. Matt Thistlethwaite, your constituency is obviously very close. What has the mood been like there this week?
Matt Thistlethwaite, Assistant Miniser for Foreign Affairs: Yeah, g’day Alex. Obviously it’s quite sombre down here at Bondi. I’ve just joined thousands of surf lifesavers from all over Sydney who’ve come together to express our solidarity with members here at Bondi and North Bondi. I’ve been a member of Maroubra surf club for over 40 years, and my daughter and I came down this morning because we think it’s important that we support the surf lifesavers and indeed the lifeguards who are involved in that shocking situation on Sunday. I’ve also just informed the presidents of both Bondi and North Bondi that our government will provide them with $100,000 each to replenish their first aid supplies. On the weekend, every single bandage, every piece of equipment was used in these rescues and resuscitations, and they’ve completely depleted their supplies. So, our government will support them to replenish those.
Thomas: Looking to try and restore the mood of the nation, is that the sort of thing that we need to cling on to? Just the human decency we saw emerge in moments of tragedy?
Assistant Miniser: Yeah, I think it is. I said, as I said, I’ve been a surf lifesaver for 40 years and I’ve never seen anything like this. It’s deeply emotional here today. I’ve got mates in North Bondi and Bondi that I’ve been, you know, training with in the past. Surf lifesaving is one big family. And today the family came together. There were plenty of hugs, plenty of tears, but most importantly, I think a renewed hope. Particularly when the Westpac rescue helicopter did a lap of the beach and people spontaneously erupted into applause for those that lost their lives, but also for the surf lifesaving family and the hope that we have for the future.
Thomas: Matt, because emotions are running so high, as you mentioned, we’ve seen some members of the government face anger from the community. Have you had to deal with any of that?
Assistant Miniser: Understandably, the community down here is hurt and there are people that are angry. I completely understand that. But I want them to know that myself, every member of our government is here to support them. That’s why we announced yesterday $42 million mental health support package. I was down at North Bondi surf life, North Bondi RSL, yesterday to meet with the veterans, to meet with the volunteers from Lifeline from Red Cross that are providing that mental health support on the ground. And I’ve got to say, it’s inspiring. They’re there to help. We know people are hurting, but if they need that support, please reach out.
Thomas: Have you spoken to the Prime Minister this week?
Assistant Miniser: Yes, several times. The Prime Minister was here on Monday. I’ve been to three events with the Prime Minister this week. The latest was we had a meeting with Jewish leaders yesterday afternoon in his office in Sydney, here to discuss what more our government can do to support the Jewish community. To support, to show and to explain the measures that we’re putting in place to combat antisemitism, the changes that we’re making to criminal laws to ensure that they get the support they need. And then the Prime Minister and myself joined the Premier to attend the Grand Synagogue for Chanukah prayers and their chabbat service, which was deeply, deeply moving. So, the Prime Minister has been down here with the community as much as he possibly can.
Thomas: Do you think the view of him from some is wrong on this issue?
Assistant Miniser: Well, we understand that people are hurting and that people are angry. That’s natural. And people certainly need time to grieve. But the message that the Prime Minister delivered last night to Jewish leaders was that we’re here to help and we’re here to support them. So, whatever they need, we’re here to provide that. There’ll be a vigil here tomorrow night at Bondi. It’ll be part of the last night of Chanukah. The Prime Minister and indeed several Ministers and myself will be attending that to show our support for the Jewish community and the wider community here.
Thomas: Matt, can Australia come out of this better and stronger than before?
Assistant Miniser: I think we will. I think that the one great thing about the Australian spirit is that we come together in times like these and we work together and we make our nation stronger. And that’s been evident this week in the thousands of Australians that have lined up to donate blood or booked in an appointment to donate blood. You only need look behind me here at the moving floral tribute that’s here. And you’ve had people coming down here all week to pay their respects and to give a hug to members of the Jewish community. And of course, the very moving tribute that we’ve just had on the beach here with the surf lifesaving and lifeguard community coming together. Yesterday we had the paddle out. You had 800 people doing what they love down here at Bondi, being out in the ocean, but coming together, linking arms, splashing the water and giving a big cheer for those that lost their lives, but also saying the terrorists won’t break us. We’re going to be stronger for this, and our community will come together, all Australians will, to make sure that we never have to go through this again and that this never happens again.
Thomas: How are you bearing up personally? I know many hardened colleagues that have found it tough this week.
Assistant Miniser: Look, I’m going well because I’ve had the support of many in our community. It’s been a tough week, there’s no doubt about that. But it’s been much harder, much harder for the victims and their families. So, my thoughts are with them. I’ve reached out to as many of those as I possibly can. Yesterday morning at La Perouse Public School where Matilda, young Matilda that was tragically murdered, was a student, the school community came together. There’s quite a large First Nations student population there. It was wonderful to see the elders from the La Perouse community come together. Matilda’s mother Valentina, her sister Summer were there at the school. And just the hugs, the tears, the nonstop support for her family from the elders, from the community, the general population. It was quite heartwarming. So, they’re the people that our thoughts are with at the moment and they’re the families that we’re working with to get them through this.
Thomas: Matt Thistlethwaite, thank you for your time on Sky News this morning. Appreciate it.
Assistant Miniser: Thanks very much, Alex.