'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.

"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.

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.

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

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store