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Hi Vicky,
These last few days have been immensely painful for our community, and like many of you I am heartbroken.
15 innocent lives have been lost: Sofia and Boris Gurman, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, Edith Brutman, Boris Tetleroyd, Matilda, Marika Pogany, Peter Meagher, Dan Elkayam, Reuven Morrison, Tibor Weitzen, Alexander Kleytman, Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, Adam Smyth and one more loved one who remains unidentified.
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My team and I send our love to the victims’ families and everybody who has been affected by Sunday’s antisemitic terrorist attack.
Our community will make it through this, although the road ahead will be hard. To do so we need to actively choose love over hatred – since Sunday our community has shown that we can do just that.
We have heard countless stories of bravery, kindness and selflessness. People throwing themselves in danger to shield others from gunfire, volunteer lifesavers and lifeguards sprinting to save the lives of strangers, record breaking blood donations, volunteers turning up at hospital to provide help, millions of dollars raised for victims. People from all across the community coming together with love.
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Every community should live in this country free from fear and it is up to all of us to stamp out hate and extremism in all its forms. Jewish Australians belong in Australia and deserve to live in safety.
I have been pushing all levels of government to strengthen our laws and particularly our hate speech laws. Last year my amendments to criminalise speech that promotes hatred towards Jewish Australians and others was rejected by both the government and the opposition so it’s heartening to see the Prime Minister has flagged support for such an amendment. I will examine the proposal closely when more detail emerges.
I’m also pleased to see the Prime Minister commit to action on the recommendations of the Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism. Of course, our laws, security and policing can only take us so far.
We all need to reach across the community, listen, learn, and deepen our understanding of one another so hate and division never take hold. This is our challenge moving forward.
I know this is an incredibly difficult time, and that information is changing quickly as new details emerge. My office is in daily communication with relevant authorities, and I want to provide our community with the latest verified information I have currently.
Thank you to everyone who has reached out to my office via email and we appreciate your patience during this time. Due to a high volume of emails at the moment and various commitments in the community, our response times are a little slower than usual but our team is working hard to respond as soon as we can.
We have also created a live website page that contains the most up to date information which you can access at the link below.
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Support services
For victims and families
The Victims Support Scheme provides counselling and financial assistance following an act of violence in NSW. This is available for those who have been affected by Sunday night’s attack. For more information, please click here.
A dedicated phone line has also been established for victims and family members on 1800 411 822. This is available 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
For our Jewish community
For those in the Jewish community who are seeking counsel and support, please see the below services:
- Emanuel Synagogue's clergy remains available. Call 02 9389 6444 or email [email protected].
- Jewish House is available to provide support. Find options to contact them here.
- Jewish Care has people available for support and counsel. Call 1300 133 660
NSW JBOD also has a live page with updates for the community which you can access here.
Mental health support in the eastern suburbs
NSW Health trained mental health clinicians are on the ground at Bondi and Coogee. They are clearly identified in bright NSW Health vests. If you are experiencing any form of distress, please make yourself known to them.
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Lifeline has also set up a support hub at the North Bondi RSL open 7 days a week from 10am - 4pm. This is a free service and no appointment is needed.
Supporting our kids
This is a distressing time for our community and ensuring we support our young people during this is incredibly important.
Please talk to them about what has happened, encourage them to express their feelings and where possible try to keep them away from social media or rolling news coverage. Ensure they know they can call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or chat online at kidshelpline.com.au.
ReachOut has content for both young people and parents and carers, with a focus on issues like dealing with grief, understanding trauma, and how to cope if you see distressing videos. Parents may also choose to read some of the below articles with advice from psychologists on navigating this period with your kids.
For public primary schools in the surrounding area, additional counselling services are available. For more information, contact your school.
Safe Haven at the Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick also has extended hours from Monday 15 December to Friday 19 December from 10am to 7.30pm. It is a drop-in service and you don’t need an appointment.
Mental health support lines
The NSW mental health line is available 24/7, with specialist staff available to speak to anyone affected by the attack. Call 1800 011 511.
Members of the community can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
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Paying Respect
Floral tributes
Flowers and in-person tributes may be placed at the memorial site established at the rear end of Bondi Pavilion. There are NSW mental health clinicians on site here.
Condolence book
An online condolence book is available for people to honour the victims – please click here to leave a message of condolence.
Official Vigil
Many of you have asked about an official vigil for the public.
The NSW Government is in discussion with families and people who have lost loved ones to understand what sort of memorial would feel appropriate to them.
Your patience during this is appreciated and I will communicate details with the community when this is finalised.
Lighting a candle at 6.47pm
The attack on Sunday night occurred on the first night of Chanukah – a Jewish festival of light and hope.
In solidarity with our Jewish community please consider lighting a candle at 6.47pm each night in a window at home, to show that light will overcome darkness.
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What you can do to help
Donating to the victims’ families
Many of you have reached out about contributing financially to the victims or to causes that support them. You can donate via:
There have also been fundraisers set up for the two brave police officers who were injured during the attack, organised through NSW Police:
Blood donations
LifeBlood have called for blood donations, especially for those with O Negative blood type. They have received a record breaking response from the community and appointments over the coming weeks have filled up.
Please consider booking the earliest available appointment as blood or plasma in the coming weeks will be vital to replenishing blood stocks. To book, go to lifeblood.com.au.
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Support for Bondi small business
I know this is a really hard time for our local small businesses.
Please know that the Service NSW Business Bureau, NSW Government and Waverley council are working together to provide support.
If you would like to talk through any concerns you have about your business, you can talk to the Business Concierge. Call 13 77 88 to make an appointment or go to www.service.nsw.gov.au/business.
To the wider community, please make an effort to support our local small businesses during this time. I may be biased, but I think we have some of the most delicious food, talented fashion designers and local artists around!
Personal belongings
A property collection centre has been opened at Waverley College Gate 10, Henrietta Street, Waverley. It will be open between 8am to 6pm from today (Thursday 18 December 2025) until Wednesday 24 December 2025.
Please bring identification documents and any other additional information to assist with identifying individual items.
Support services will be at the centre to assist attendees.
Roads open
On Wednesday, the NSW police have partially reopened some of the roads around Bondi. For the most up to date information, please visit Waverley Council’s website here.
POLAIR and security presence
Over the coming week, please note that POLAIR will be conducting regular flights across Sydney and the Eastern Suburbs to support public safety during this time.
There will also be an increased security presence particularly as memorials and other services take place. Please be reassured that this is for community safety, and if there are any incidents the public should be aware of I will keep the community informed.
However, I understand that this may be distressing to some people following Sunday night. If you feel affected by this, please reach out to the mental health services listed above as support is available.
During this period, my team and I are here to support you however we can. My Edgecliff office is open this week if you wish to drop in, otherwise please don't hesitate to reach out on email or phone.
With love,
Allegra Spender MP
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Allegra Spender MP Federal Member for Wentworth
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