Monday 15 & Tuesday 16 December - Public Condolence Book available at Government House in Canberra from 2pm - 4pm

While the Governor-General is on the ground in Sydney meeting with members of community to commemorate the Bondi Beach attacks, she has opened Government House in Canberra to create a space for Canberrans to pay their respects.

A public condolence book is available for signing at Government House from 2pm - 4pm, today 15 December and tomorrow, 16 December 2025.

The public are welcome to bring floral tributes.

Public parking is available on Dunrossil Drive.

No bags or pets, other than service animals, will be allowed onsite.

A NSW Government online condolence book is available for signing here.

15 December - View the Governor-General's Video Message

I'm speaking to you today from the Bravery Garden at government House in Canberra, where the flags at half mast tell the tragic story of a very dark moment in our country. Flags are now flying at half-mast around our country as a visible sign of our collective grief with all Australians. I am distressed and appalled by the dreadful violence that has occurred at Bondi Beach.

Last night I wrote about the horror and tragedy of the event as it was unfolding. Since then, I've been briefed about this atrocity and have spoken with leading members of the Jewish community across the country. We now know this is this despicable act has been declared an act of terror, an anti-Semitic attack on Jewish people and a horror that could scar our Australian community for a long time.

I join Australians everywhere, His Majesty The King and nations around the world, in condemning this vicious act of anti-Semitism that has taken the lives of so many precious Australians and left many more injured and suffering. Their families and communities are in deep trauma and remain frightened. Jewish Australians are a cherished part of our nation's past, present and future.

Members of Sydney's Jewish community came to Bondi Beach yesterday to celebrate the start of Hanukkah, a time of peace and light. Many other Australians were also at the beach, enjoying one of Sydney's beautiful summer evenings. For them and so many Australians, Bondi is a place of welcome, peace, and sunshine. Representing the promise of this country, it is then so shocking that a community for whom Australia has meant a place of safety and hope, many of whom are refugees and their descendants, should experience such barbarism and hatred to Australia's Jewish community.

As you mourn your beloved family members, community members and others and pray for those injured in the attack. I want you to know that the love and strength of Australians are with you. Now, I know there is a deep sense of fear and uncertainty following yesterday's events, and I encourage all Australians to reach out to their communities to show their solidarity.

As Australia's Governor-General, I reject hatred, violence, discrimination, and anti-Semitism in all its forms that have no place here. They will never find a voice here. Care, kindness and respect resonate at the heart of our Australian communities. In the shadow of anti-Semitism, the light of Hanukkah shone out in the brave members of the public and all of those first responders who acted without thought for their own safety and with courage, compassion, and skill to stop the violence and save many lives.

There is no doubt that their heroism prevented the loss of many more lives. The fearless impulse and the desire to help comes from a place of deep care for their fellow Australians. And in that same spirit, I know we all need to show up and care for one another at this very distressing time. This morning I've been listening to and taking advice from Jewish faith and other leaders.

And many have suggested the lighting of candles by Australians across the country. Tonight, would be a simple and meaningful act of compassion and care. This is something we can all do. Members of the Jewish community will join Simeon and me at Admiralty House in Sydney this evening to light the menorah. And just as Jewish people placed the light of the Hanukkah candles in the menorah in their windows of their homes, we could all join them by lighting our own candles as a symbol of our love and solidarity and being in that long journey of healing in ways big and small.

By reaching out to our Jewish friends and neighbors, by giving blood, by remembering dearly those who have lost their lives. From the very young to senior community members and those who will live with the consequences of this moment long into the future. We can show the care that lifts us up and binds us together as Australians. A condolence book is now online on the New South Wales Government website, and we plan condolence books to be available for signing by members of the public at Admiralty House in Sydney and Government House here in Canberra.

To Australia's Jewish community, my heart is with you today and always. After this act of barbarism, we must move as a nation to a place of healing. As I took office, I learned from a former Governor general, Sir Zelman Cowan, to reflect the light and shade of Australia back to our nation. We are sadly in a time of shade.

Over the past year, I have regularly spoken of a need for us to take great care in how we resolve the tough issues of our time with respect and care today. Inspired by some of Zimmerman's words, we must commit ourselves to consider why and how this act of terror happened and what needs to change in our country to ensure this can never happen again.

That is our collective challenge. And as we've done in the past, I know that we can rise to it.

14 December - Statement from the Governor-General

“Tonight, Australians are in shock, distress and sadness watching the tragic events that have unfolded in Bondi. We have all witnessed terrible and heartbreaking scenes and now know that many lives have been lost and many more injured. I speak on behalf of all Australians in expressing my deepest condolences to everybody affected. It is particularly distressing on the first night of Hanukkah, a time of peace. I know that this is a deeply distressing time for the Jewish community and for all Australians."

“Australians have also witnessed extraordinary acts of heroism by so many today – brave members of the public, devoted first responders including police officers, emergency services personnel, ambulance officers and the dedicated hospital teams who are now providing care to those injured.

“Tonight, Australians across the country are in heartbreak – particularly those closest to Bondi but in homes right across the country. Our thoughts are with all those impacted. In days ahead we will need to show care for one another and help everyone through this deeply traumatic event.

“I join others in imploring everyone in Sydney to continue to follow the advice of authorities, in particular the police, as they deal with this terrible and complex situation.”

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