Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Politics
Dominic Giannini

'Humanity stood tall': Tribute paid to six murdered

Anthony Albanese has led a condolence motion for the victims of the Bondi Junction stabbing. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

The prime minister has led tributes to the six people killed in a stabbing attack in Sydney as federal parliament reflected on the tragedy.

A condolence motion was moved for Yixuan Cheng, Pikria Darchia, Ashlee Good, Dawn Singleton, Faraz Tahir and Jade Young, who were killed during a mass stabbing attack in Bondi Junction in April.

A dozen others were injured before the knife-wielding man was shot dead.

Australia mourned "all those whose lives were wrenched from them so brutally and so pointlessly", Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told parliament on Tuesday.

An ambulance after the stabbings inside the Westfield Bondi Junction
The prime minister thanked the paramedics, police and health workers who responded to the incident. (Steven Saphore/AAP PHOTOS)

"A month on from the shocking events at Bondi Junction Westfield, the distress has barely faded, the grief never will.

"We mourn for all the wonderful, rich possibility of life that was taken from them and we mourn for all those whose lives will always feel the weight of loss."

The prime minister thanked the paramedics, ambulance, police and health workers who responded to the incident.

He also thanked those who showed up to the vigil and those who offered mental health support in the following days.

"At the worst of times, we once again saw the best of the Australian character, remarkable acts of courage, remarkable acts of compassion, remarkable acts of love," he said.

"It's impossible, of course, to think that anything good comes from something like that, but some solace is that humanity really stood tall."

A candlelight vigil to honour the victims at Bondi Beach
Thousands attended a candlelight vigil at Bondi Beach to honour the victims. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

The terrible tragedy was marked by contrasts, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said as he paid his respects.

"There was cruelty but also compassion, hate but also heroism, human tragedy but also a triumph of the human spirit," he said.

Mr Dutton thanked first responders, everyday shoppers who jumped into action to help those attacked and the police officer who ran towards danger and shot the attacker.

"At Bondi, bystanders became good Samaritans, and good Samaritans became heroes," he said.

"But there is no greater hero on that day than NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott - Inspector Scott deserves our nation's gratitude and praise."

Police officer Amy Scott
NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott has been praised for preventing more carnage. (HANDOUT/NSW POLICE)

Six families bore "the tragic, unbearable loss that any one of us could have faced," local member for Wentworth, independent Allegra Spender, said.

"We must celebrate the positive legacies of those we have lost, the difference in the world that they created, the joy and the love, the people they cared for," she said.

"We must also hold onto the heroism and kindness that so many showed on the day.

"For there was one person who sought to do terrible harm, but there were hundreds who did everything they could to protect others, to provide comfort and care, in the darkest hour."

Lifeline 13 11 14

beyondblue 1300 22 4636

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.