Labor, together with all Australians, condemns the act of terrorism that has brought such death and devastation to the city of Christchurch and to the people of New Zealand.
Australia and New Zealand are family and we grieve with our brothers and sisters today. We offer our condolences, our sympathy and solidarity to all who have lost someone they love and to everyone still in the grip of fear and pain. We also offer our thanks to the first responders for their bravery, calm and compassion.
This was an evil, hate-filled and cowardly attack on innocent worshippers of the Muslim faith, humbly and peacefully following the tenets of their religion, in their place of worship. These were people at prayer, at their most humble and vulnerable, they did not stand a chance.
The Islamic community in New Zealand will carry a terrible burden of grief today and we know their pain will be shared by Australian Muslims. We stand with them, knowing that terrorism has no regard for any faith.
An attack on any religion is an attack on all religions, it is an assault on our common humanity. We all share a responsibility to unite, condemn and defeat such an attack on our values and our way of life.
We are, tragically, familiar with Australians being among the victims of terrorism overseas. Today we must confront the horrifying reality that an Australian was among the perpetrators. Both his extreme right-wing ideology, found in hate-speech groups, and his acts of evil do not represent Australia or our values.
Attacks such as this are designed to spread fear and sow division. So too is the footage the terrorists have sought to circulate online. We echo the words of the New Zealand police: do not share this footage, do not watch it. Do not do anything to normalise or validate this inhuman act of evil.
All Australians stand with New Zealand and we stand ready to provide any and all the support they may require in the coming days and weeks.
They are all in our hearts today.
Authorised by Noah Carroll, ALP, Canberra.